The San Gemini Preservation Studies is accepting applications for their summer field school in historic conservation. The deadline to apply is March 15, 2024.

Now in its 25th year, with alumni from over 170 colleges and universities worldwide, SGPS is dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage. They offer students the opportunity to study and travel in Italy where they acquire hands-on experience in restoration and conservation. The following sessions are available for this summer:

Session One (June 3 – 28)

  • Building Restoration – Touching the Stones Restoration of Traditional Masonry Buildings and Sketching and Analyzing Historic Buildings
    (Program includes lectures and restoration field projects*)
  • Archaeological Ceramics Restoration Analysis and Restoration of Archaeological Ceramics in Italy
    (Program includes lectures and restoration workshop*)
  • Book Bindings Restoration Introduction to the History and Craft of Bookbindings. Introduction to the Preservation and Preventive Conservation of Books
    (Program includes lectures and practical workshop*)

Session Two (July 15 – August 9)

*Field Projects:

  • Restoration of Porta Tuderte (also known as the San Giovanni City Gate) (13th century)
  • Analysis of medieval buildings in San Gemini as part of an urban study of the city
  • Restoration and conservation of artifacts from the Parco del Colosseo and Museo delle Storie di Bergamo
  • Restoration of the Historic Archives of the Commune di San Gemini
  • Archaeological research of the Roman Baths in the Ancient City of Carsulae

Short Intersession Program (June 30 – July 9) dates to be confirmed

  • Preservation Tour – Italy A ten-day trip visiting Siena, Florence and Rome,  places of cultural interest, with emphasis on the urban and historical development of each town, including specialized visits to places of interest to restorers.

SGPS is a program of the International Institute for Restoration and Preservation Studies, based in New York. An academic relationship has been established with West Virginia University that offers our students the opportunity to apply for and receive credits through the WVU Art History Department. They have established cooperation agreements with the Museo della Storie di Bergamo and the Parco del Colosseo to study and conserve artworks and archaeological objects held in their museums, as well as a collaboration with the Historic Archives of the Commune di San Gemini for SGPS participants to study and conserve archival documents.

Their courses are open to students from various disciplines, both undergraduate and graduate. All lessons are taught in English.

To learn more an apply, access the website here.