People
Testimonials
I had a great experience at San Gemini Preservation School. As a paper conservator who wanted to learn more about historic book structures this was a wonderful way to immerse myself in bookbinding and the history of the book in its many forms .We had the opportunity to learn from experienced conservators and look at and handle historic examples of bindings from the local archives and library. A lot of days were spent making many books and strengthening hand skills. There were great site visits and I made some lovely friends and professional contacts along the way. I recommend this course to anyone interested in the history of bookbinding and building skills in this field.
Alumna 2024 - Historical Book Binding, Structure and Preservation of Books
As an archaeology student aiming to specialise in restoration, I was deeply intrigued by San Gemini program from the outset, and I am thrilled I got to be a part of it. Not only did I end up learning a vast amount about the history of both San Gemini itself and Italy at large— alongside visiting and interacting with the sites of that history directly— I also got to try my hand at recreating the methods and practices the works we aim to conserve restore were made using, that understanding being at the very heart of the practice. It is truly a gorgeous place, and having the experience of living there for a month, not just sightseeing in passing, has cemented the whole experience in my memory. I had the time of my life being there, and I am deeply glad to have met and worked with everyone on the program— I cannot express how much it meant to me to have gotten this opportunity.
Alumna 2024:
Bailey Godwin, Tulane University
“I had such a wonderful time in San Gemini. I met so many people of different backgrounds and experiences, all devoted to learning conservation. The studies we undertook were serious, led by passionate professionals who connected with us through their stories and cultural heritage. In the Historic Buildings program, we worked on stabilizing and restoring a limestone arch from the 12th century! We learned so much about material composition and technique. I was amazed that we were not only able to learn what was involved in the conservation process, but also to do it ourselves, sometimes even on the same day! It felt so fulfilling to restore an old structure that still contributes to how people live today. I made so many friends in the program, and in San Gemini, too, who I will treasure forever. This experience is a fantastic introduction to material conservation, for people of all backgrounds and interests.”
2023 Alumna: Restoration and Analysis of Historic Buildings
Feb 22, 2024
“After a 20-year career in the United States Air Force, I began to discover my authentic tribal history and story when I became the Tribal Historical Preservation Officer for the Fort Independence Indian Reservation in Eastern California in 2018. I now consider myself a mid-career professional engaged in everything from repatriation of ancestors to performing high level research at the places such as the National Archives in Washington D.C. The Paper Restoration course engaged my creativity and helped me understand the dynamics and challenges of the museum management and curation field. This course helped me develop and focus enough new ideas to last two full careers. The San Gemini team made feel like family while away from home. The entire faculty and supporting members created an unequaled safe space for international discussions and sharing of cultural perspectives. Thank you San Gemini!”
Alumnus 2024: Paper Restoration in Artworks and Archival Documents
I’m so grateful for the experiences I had with San Gemini Preservation Studies! During the Session II of Summer 2024, I participated in the Intersession Tour and the Traditional Painting Techniques course. During the Intersession Tour, I spent a week exploring rich centers of Italian history under the guidance of a scholar of art history. We toured prestigious Italian art restoration labs in Florence and got to speak with leading professionals while they worked on site to restore famous paintings, buildings, and statues in Rome. Getting to see locals celebrating the Palio during our tour of Siena will be one of my favorite memories forever! In our Traditional Painting Methods class, we were taught step by step how to use traditional mediums to create our own frescos, wood panel paintings, and oil canvas paintings, all while working in a historic convent that looked over the beautiful Umbrian countryside. I’m proud of what I was able to accomplish with the guidance of our instructors, who were extremely knowledgeable professionals and eager to help! The hands-on experience I gained from this program was invaluable- getting to study in San Gemini was an amazing experience, and I hope to continue my studies with the program soon!
Alumna 2024: Traditional Painting Materials, Methods and Restoration Issues & Presrvation Tour.
The San Gemini Preservation Society’s summer Book Binding program was an incredible experience! It was academically rigorous with both hands-on experience and classroom lectures, supplemented by amazing opportunities to work with real archival materials and get a behind-the-scenes look at processes of book construction and conservation within the San Gemini community and beyond. The instructors were brilliant and supportive, the town charming and hospitable, and the other program participants came from a huge array of backgrounds, which made for a great interdisciplinary classroom experience. I learned so much from the program and continue to use those skills and knowledge in my life months later. Fantastic people, wonderful learning experience, an overall perfect way to spend your summer.
Alumna 2024: Historical Book Binding, Structure and Preservation of Books
I am incredibly grateful for my time in San Gemini, especially for the guidance of my teachers and the many guest lecturers who generously shared their expertise. This experience deepened my understanding of conservation from multiple perspectives, including theoretical approaches, chemistry, the history and materiality of paper, and various cultural conservation philosophies. The immersive nature of SGPS programs provided an invaluable opportunity to fully dedicate myself to honing my technical skills and deepening my understanding of conservation. Even outside of the classroom, the stimulating conversations with my peers and other conservators impressed upon me the significance of collaboration and open dialogue within this field. It truly was the perfect recipe for an unforgettable summer and I could not recommend it enough!
Alumna 2024: Paper Restoration in Artworks and Archival Documents
“I can’t recommend this program enough. Not only do you get hands on conservation experience in such a historically rich area, but you get to work with the incredible, interdisciplinary minds that this field attracts! The program coordinators provide the utmost insight and warmth to the point where every encounter with the team is both familial and a learning experience. My heart is full as I think back to my time there. The experience is unforgettable to say the least! I myself hope to continue learning with them one day.”
- 2018 Alumni Restoration and Analysis of Historic Buildings
“I participated in the 2018 San Gemini Preservation Studies Traditional Painting program, and it was an absolutely wonderful experience!! The teachers are very knowledgeable, and we had several guest speakers as well who were very talented and had completed what appeared to be impossible restorations. I learned so much in just four weeks! Also, the hands-on component of this program is INCREDIBLE–you don’t just learn about traditional fresco, sgraffito, egg tempera and oil techniques in the classroom, but you actually try them out. The studio has to be one of the most beautiful in the world–a former Franciscan monastery looking out over the gorgeous Umbrian countryside. San Gemini itself is a charming little town that retains its medieval character–it’s small, but there are several restaurants and bars, summer festivals, and the amazing surrounding countryside to explore. I was also able to travel on the weekends, exploring places like Narni and Assisi. Sometimes trips can be coordinated, if you plan in advance, or you’re free to travel on your own–the coordinators are always ready and willing to help! I would participate in this program again in a heartbeat and highly recommend it. It will be a summer well spent!”
- 2018 Alumni Traditional Painting: Materials, Methods and Restoration Issues
“This summer I had the chance to be part of the San Gemini Preservation Studies. The experience has allowed me to meet competent and available teachers, to enhance and safeguard the cultural heritage, both locally with trips organized in the Italian territory and internationally with theoretical lessons and practices of the Ancient Traditional Painting. The course has been useful to broaden the ethical and practical principles of the foundations that regulate the Italian conservative restoration, while working and sharing ideas with students from all over the world have made this experience fundamental to my education. For more information about the course, please contact me.”
- 2018 Alumni Traditional Painting: Materials, Methods and Restoration Issues
“I had such an UNBELIEVABLE experience during my stay in San Gemini. I didn’t only learn so much in this course but also met amazing people! Teachers were very supportive during lectures and workshops, and my colleagues were talented, hard-working and friendly. I also had the opportunity to travel around San Gemini with friends. Italy is a beautiful country with incredible Medieval and Renaissance Art, and I had the big pleasure to stay there for a month!”
- 2018 Alumni Traditional Painting: Materials, Methods and Restoration Issues
“The San Gemini Preservation Studies program gave me incredible skills, incomparable experiences, and beautiful memories I will carry with me throughout my life. I continue to think in awe of the hands-on opportunities I was given by the wonderful and intelligent faculty. I do not know of any other program that is so dedicated to providing its participants with strong skills in restoring/preserving historic materials and an understanding of interdisciplinary approaches to preservation. Additionally, the amazing friends and people I met in the program and in the town have filled my heart with joy. While many of us are scattered throughout the world, we share a unique experience together of preserving historic materials in a small hill town in Umbria and traveling through Italy. For anyone who wants to see their passion for historic preservation grow beyond measure and obtain real hands-on skills, there is no better program.”
- 2018 Alumni Restoration and Analysis of Historic Buildings
“I highly recommend San Gemini Preservation Studies for anyone interested in the field. I was a participant in the Touching the Stones program in 2018 and came from an architectural history background. The lessons were fantastic, with esteemed, respected guest lecturers. The practical elements of drawing and documenting or performing restoration made me feel much more connected to the field and to history. It was intense and rich and opened my eyes to all elements in historic building restoration carried out by different sectors. It is simply an amazing opportunity to meet people interested in conservation from around the world, to immerse yourself in Italian culture and to make life-long memories. This was my first program abroad and the San Gemini group and the town itself made me feel extremely safe! If you are interested in history and architecture, this is a program you should not miss.”
- 2018 Alumni Restoration and Analysis of Historic Buildings
“The paper preservation and restoration course was led by experts in the field of archives, preservation, and conservation. These teachers led us through the history of papermaking to repairing documents. The experiments, field trips, guest lecturers, and more were unforgettable and fueled my future studies to archival work. I cannot recommend this program enough. When I searched for similar programs, none were as extensive or complete as this one. Not only are the studies and professors incredible, the people, scenery, and food are just as lovely. Our group ranged from 19 to 83, and everyone there would tell you to go as soon as you can!”
- 2018 Alumni Paper Restoration in Books and Archival Documents
“I had the most AMAZING experience in the Traditional Paintings course at San Gemini Preservation Studies. I learned so much in my lectures and studio class from professors and teachers working in the field of preservation. The professors are very passionate about their work and so talented at what they do, which shows in the amount of care they put into their lessons. There were many times where the teachers and program coordinators went out of their way to make sure students felt welcomed and comfortable in San Gemini, which really helped when settling in for the 4 weeks you spend there. San Gemini is also one of the most beautiful places in Italy I have ever been, with amazing food, people and scenery. I wish I could go back! I couldn’t think of a better way to have spent my summer. would HIGHLY recommend!!”
- 2018 Alumni Traditional Painting: Materials, Methods and Restoration Issues
