CHARTER Program : Ancient Italian Interior Design
Fresco & Mosaic Production

This nine day art class and cultural tour will teach you the delicate fresco and mosaic techniques used by Italian artists to decorate the walls, ceilings and floors of the churches, villas and public squares throughout Italy for more than two thousand years. Visits to artistic treasures, including stunning murals and and famous wall paintings, at several historical sites in Northern Italy are woven into the practical course instruction and each student takes home a fresco and mosaic production of their own at the end of the course.

Your journey begins in fashionable Milan recovering from your travels with on a relaxing tour of the city's top attractions including its famous, 14th century Gothic Duomo and Leonardo's 15th century mural, "The Last Supper". See firsthand why both the technique and the story behind this painting are controversial. The next day, a visit to the magical island of San Giulio (and an optional mass at its 10th century chapel) that is floating in the middle of Lago di Orta transports you to an era long ago and prepares your creative juices for the art production work to come.

In the classroom and the lab, CESMA Founder and Director Daniela Cima will share her knowledge of and experience with fresco and mosaic production and restoration with you as this course's instructor. You will study the foundational theories of the techniques, but most importantly, you will create your own unique artistic productions, or replicas if you wish, in the lab to take home.

You will live and learn in the quaint village of Cuorgnè, which is nestled in the foothills of the Italian Alps on the outskirts of the charming city of Torino (Turin). Mid-week, a guided tour will introduce you to the city that American broadcaster NBC called a cross between Paris and Vienna during its coverage of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. Spend your warm summer evenings living 'La Dolce Vita' relaxing in front of the Alpine views in Cuorgnè or expending a bit more energy in the nightlife of Torino.

An optional guided tour to Padua, where Giotto painted a spectacular mural in the early 14th century that has been magnificently restored recently in the Scrovegni Chapel, and Venice, one of the must-see places in Italy, is available at the end of this class for those with a bit more time on their hands.

This class can be taken by artists and non-artists alike, however, an appreciation for art is definitely a pre-requisite for your enjoyment. Also, tickets to see The Last Supper are extremely limited due to the popularity of Dan Brown's book "The Da Vinci Code", therefore, early registration for this course is highly recommended to ensure your reservation.

This art class is also offered as a part of our month long Ancient Italian Art Production for those who are interested in spending more time exploring additional artistic production techniques and other parts of Italy.