Located in a restored Tuscan hilltop estate 25 kilometers north of Florence, the Tuscan Classical Academy is based on long-standing traditions, ideals, and values.

Overview

Located in a restored Tuscan hilltop estate 25 kilometers north of Florence, the Tuscan Classical Academy is based on long-standing traditions, ideals, and values. The Academy was founded by architectural restorer and educator Lynn Fleming Aeschliman, who started renovating the Capitignano property in the late 1960s. The Academy brings together talented and experienced architects, artists, teachers, and theorists who are devoted to the classical, medieval, and Renaissance traditions in the arts. The Academy Fellows promote the arts as essential to human flourishing and well-being as well as professional competence and growth.

The Capitignano estate has several major buildings that contain a library, studio, lecture hall, salon, living and dining accommodations, as well as a swimming pool, old tennis court, and lovely terraces. The Academy runs collaborative programs with the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture, INTBAU, the Erasmus-Jefferson Summer Institute (University of Virginia), the Boston University College of Fine Arts, TASIS The American School in Switzerland (Lugano), and for the past two summers with the Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America (New York). Independent students are welcome to apply to attend on a credit or non-credit basis.

The aim of the summer program is to introduce art and architecture students and professionals to the rich architectural heritage of Florence and Tuscany. More than any other city, Florence was the seat of Renaissance Humanism, and the center for the flourishing of the classical arts. Throughout the quattrocento and cinquecento, Florence witnessed a revival of architecture and the building arts that decisively changed the way Europe and the West thought about the built environment and the gardens of Tuscany were renowned throughout the continent and England.

Structure

The summer program is open to those whose focus is primarily architecture and/or landscape design, and to those whose focus is fine art. The two groups do, however, share a number of lectures and exercises and all the tours are done jointly. Additionally, two shorter Professional Intensives are offered during the course of the program focusing on classical architecture and the civilized landscape.

The program is for

  1. Professionals and non-professionals seeking a rich summer opportunity to draw, paint, and be inspired by the beauty of Tuscany, as well as receiving continuing-education credits, if so desired;
  2. Professionals and non-professionals seeking a shorter intensive program on Renaissance gardens and the Tuscan landscape;
  3. Art and architecture students seeking summer-school college credits at both the 200-level introductory and 400-level advanced courses;
  4. Talented rising high-school seniors seeking college-level summer courses in painting or architecture for college credit.
  5. General Information

    3 credits, Mayernik, et al / 9:00-12:00 and 2:30-6:00 MTWTF

    Admission to the Academy is by permission of the Director and on a space-available basis. Applicants are required to submit examples of their work in the form of digital images, photocopies, or photographs. Students are housed for the duration of their stay in restored villas and farm buildings on the estate of Capitignano in the Mugello valley, 45 minutes north of Florence. All courses and studio work are carried out in the restored hay loft (Fienile) and stable (Stalla) of the complex, as well as extended to different sites in Tuscany. The complete cost of the three-week Program, including housing, meals, tours, Notre Dame tuition for credit, and fees is $4,400. (Financial aid and scholarships are available for architectural students and interns. Please apply to the Director.) The shorter Professional Intensive offerings are $2,400 for the 1st and $2,000 for the 2nd, all-inclusive. Drawing and painting supplies are not included. A $500 deposit is required along with the application to hold a place. Full payment of the remaining cost is required by June 1. All payments minus a cancellation fee of $150 are refundable until this date.

Faculty

David Mayernik
Architect & Painter
Associate Professor, University of Notre Dame School of Architecture
BArch cum laude, University of Notre Dame
Fellow, American Academy in Rome (FAAR)
Fellow, Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce (RSA)
(Click thumbnail to view website)

Maureen Hyde
Painter
MFA, U. of California; Instructor, Florence Academy of Art
(Click thumbnail to view website)

Mark Aeschliman
Artist & Art Historian
MA, Middlebury
MA, Syracuse
TASIS The American School in Switzerland

(Click thumbnail to view website)

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Fellows of the Academy

  • Diane Afton Aeschliman, BFA, RISD, Painter (CT) link
  • Michael D. Aeschliman, PhD, Columbia; Professor, Boston University and University of Italian Switzerland
  • Mark Aeschliman, MA, Middlebury, MA, Syracuse, Artist and Art Historian, TASIS The American School in Switzerland
  • Maxim Atayants, Architect (St. Petersburg, Russia)
  • Pier Carlo Bontempi, Architect (Parma, Italy) link
  • Bill Dennis, Urban Planner (Providence, RI) link
  • Mary Dennis, Landscape Architect (RI)
  • Victor Deupi, Architect & Director of Education, Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America (NYC) link
  • Sheldon Kostelecky, Architect (Boston) link
  • David Mayernik, Architect & Painter, Professor, University of Notre Dame School of Architecture (IN) link
  • Steven Semes, Architect & Professor, University of Notre Dame School of Architecture (IN) link
  • John Smalley, MFA, U. of Iowa; Painter & Head of Art Dept., TASIS England
  • David M. Steiner, PhD, Harvard; Dean, Hunter College School of Education; formerly Director of Arts Education, National Endowment for the Humanities

The History and Theory of Florentine Humanism

The History and Theory component consists of a series of lectures on medieval civilization and Renaissance Humanism and visits to important sites throughout Tuscany. These center primarily on Florence and the Mugello valley, although day trips to Fiesole, Prato, Pistoia, and Lucca complement the Florentine focus. Students are required to keep a sketchbook of their site visits.

Tuscan Classical Gardens of the Renaissance and Baroque

The study of Tuscan Classical Gardens of the Renaissance and Baroque examines the rediscovery of classical architecture in quattrocento Florence, and its creative interpretations in humanist gardens throughout Tuscany. For advanced students, the course offers design exercises that explore the relationship of built and natural structure in classical garden design. Students work in pencil, watercolor, sketches, and watercolor wash.

Drawing and Painting

The Drawing and Painting component introduces students to the basics of landscape drawing and painting based on observations from nature. Students work in charcoal and chalk to learn how to develop preliminary work in design and composition, then progress to develop paintings in oil, applying this medium to create an illusion of reality through atmospheric perspective and the rendering of various components that go into a landscape. Capitignano is a painter's paradise offering a wide range of landscapes.

Drawing and Watercolors

Most mornings, all the architectural and painting students do perspective drawing and watercolors of subjects that deal with the relationship of buildings and nature at various locations near Capitignano—old farm buildings, villas, churches, courtyards, and piazzas offer varied and rich subjects.

Week 1, July 24 – 29, 2008

Th Arrivals & Orientation/Eve. Opening Dinner
F AM Lecture: “Tuscany and the Renaissance,” Field Drawing—Capitignano/PM Landscape Painting & Design Studio
S Day Trip: Florence I—The City in Context (San Miniato, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizzi, Piazza della Signoria, Orsanmichele, Piazza della Repubblica, Mercato Nuovo, Palazzo Davanzati, Palazzo Strozzi, Palazzo Ruccellai, Centro Sacro)
Su Free Day
M AM Field Drawing—Villa La Quiete/PM Landscape Painting & Design Studio/Eve. Lecture: Michael Aeschliman “Renaissance Humanism”
Tu Day Trip: Florentine Villas: Pratolino, Castello, Boboli, Fiesole, Careggi

Week 2, July 30 – Aug 5

W AM Field Drawing—Cafagiolo and/or Trebbio/PM Landscape Painting & Design Studio/Eve. Lecture: David Mayernik “Working Farms and Humanist Retreats”
Th AM Field Drawing—San Cresci/PM Landscape Painting & Design Studio
F Day Trip: Villas of Lucca; stop in Prato and/or Pistoia
S AM Field Drawing—Capitignano/PM Landscape Painting & Design Studio
Su Free Day
M AM Field Drawing—Monte Senario/PM Landscape Painting & Design Studio/Eve. Lecture: Mark Aeschliman (departures & arrivals of Professional Intensive participants)
Tu Day Trip: Florence II—Classical Figurative Art (San Marco, Accademia, San Lorenzo, Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce)

Week 3, Aug 6 – Aug 13

W AM Field Drawing—Pratolino/PM Landscape Painting & Design Studio/Eve. Lecture: David Mayernik "Artist Architects"
Th AM Field Drawing—Bosco ai Frati/PM Landscape Painting & Design Studio
F Day Trip: Florence III—Classical Figurative Art (Bargello, Palazzo Pitti, Gipsoteca)
S AM Field Drawing—Villa Gamberaia (Settignano)/PM Landscape Painting & Design Studio/Eve. Lecture; Maureen Hyde
Su Free Day
M AM Field Drawing—Villa Medici (Fiesole), Villa Le Balze (Fiesole)/PM Landscape Painting & Design Studio/Eve.
Tu AM Field Drawing, Landscape Painting & Design Studio/PM Final Review and Presentations/Eve. Final Dinner
W Aug 13 Departures
All day trips include tours, field drawing & watercoloring
« »

TCA instilled in me a deep love and respect for Tuscan architecture and art. The experience of living in the breathtaking Mugello valley and visiting some of the world's most beautiful towns and cities has left a lasting impression on my heart and mind. I will never look at architecture in the same way again. I really wish I could do it all over again.”

Stephanie Bujnak, Graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas College pursuing studies in architecture

“A very intense two weeks of learning in a very beautiful environment with excellent teachers and a supportive atmosphere to progress one's skills and understanding, regardless of level. The complex is beautiful, offering more vistas than I could begin to capture; the opportunity for socializing was just right and great food. The program was all that I hoped it would be.”

Jackie Capp, Professional Portraitist, Boston

“A great workshop. Three weeks is enough to see improvement in one's work. With the small size of the group, everyone was able to receive as much attention as they required.”

Caitlin Carabine, Gettysburg College

TCA is a good workshop which is suited for all levels and offers a good first taste of Italy.”

Andrew De Morais, Penn State University Architecture Student

TCA is a wonderful program to get the basics in landscape painting and architectural drawing in the classic style. The surroundings are beautiful, well suited for that purpose; excellent instruction within historical perspective.”

Sabina Garrison, Retired elementary school teacher, MA

“Intense yet very fun program that helps expand one's artistic and creative skills. TCA keeps students busy and on task.”

Andrew Gim, University of Notre Dame Architecture Student

“At TCA learn about urbanism, landscape painting, and architecture sketching with the help of beautiful and talented people in the beautiful setting of Tuscany. ”

Ernesto Gloria, University of Notre Dame Architecture Student

TCA has a very clear focus on beauty and classical architecture. Especially for architecture students, it is the perfect way to develop an artistic sensibility away from the rigor of architectural drawings and renderings. Landscape painting has excellent instruction on basics of composition, value, shapes, techniques. Excellent tour leaders! Absolutely beautiful!”

Alejandra Gutzeit, University of Notre Dame Architecture Student

“A great combination of art or architecture workshops to learn new things and master old things. Also, a great focus on art & history and its effect on present works. Day trips & tours are very organized with very competent guides and teachers, and free days to explore your own interests.”

Holly Hendrix, University of Memphis Architecture Student

TCA is informative, creative, and mind opening.”

Willa Kroll, High School senior, CA

“Located in the beautiful hills of Tuscany, TCA is a wonderful program to learn new skills or touch up old ones in art and architecture. Great teachers and beautiful campus and grounds.”

Duncan Smith, High School student planning on studying architecture, IN

“A month in Tuscany! What else do you want? Everything was great! Food—Yum! Beautiful places.”

Chris Snyder, University of Notre Dame Architecture Student

“Location, location, location! TCA was well orgainzed with the perfect mixture of scheduled tours and paint days. Intense instruction with a wealth of information.”

Beth Taylor, Painter & Art teacher, Alaska

“Unforgettable! I felt as though I was part of a family of artists, architects, and intellectuals that had all come together to share their experiences, talents, and knowledge in order to achieve and produce greater works. The most memorable moments for me were our meals together — the sharing of ideas, dreams, and plans for the future.”(2006)

Ariadne Milligan, Classical Architect, CA

“Met wonderful people, visited beautiful places, learned a lot about the Italian Renaissance. Wonderful.”(2006)

Mary and Bill Dennis, Landscape Architect and Urban Planner, Providence, RI






Downloads

  • Brochure PDF
  • Application &
    Scholarship Information
    PDF / DOC

Please Contact

Lynn Aeschliman
TASIS. CH6926
Montagnola, Switzerland

tuscanclassicalacademy@gmail.com
TEL (++41 91) 986-5425; FAX (++41 91)994-6475