The “Bottegas” at Pieve International School Learning by doing
What are the Bottegas?
Bottega is a term used during the Renaissance and that is still used to describe a workshop. To give a historical frame of reference, the manner by which the great Master Leonardo Da Vinci acquired his skills as a young artist by working at the Bottega of Verrocchio, learning by doing.
The Pieve Bottegas :
Villa Pieve’s facilities include various work spaces and classrooms ideally suited to this notion of the Bottega. These range from updated technological classrooms to centuries old vaulted rooms that recall the original Bottegas. The criteria defining this notion of a 21st Century Bottega is the recreation of that apprenticeship environment which includes personal contact with the Master/Professor and the direct participation of the student in the creative process that defines the field of study.
What does it mean?
In the Renaissance Bottega the Master was paired with his students as they worked together on a project. All of the discoveries and ideas produced there were the result of cooperation. This process of learning by doing generated collective knowledge.
This way the Bottega in itself is a space for creativity; for this reason we would also like to design a Bottega, together with our partners, to fulfill all your creative needs.
The Arts & Crafts Bottega
Painting methodologies: fresco, egg tempera, gold leaf, oil painting.
Ceramic: working with clay, painting techniques in ceramic.
Sculpture: various techniques.
Mosaics: exploring history of mosaics (mosaics in Ravenna, Rome and contemporary mosaics)
Engraving: various techniques
Restoration: The study of fresco and book restoration.
The Italian Language and Culture Bottega
The Italian Language bottega also focuses on ‘learning by doing’. By finding ways to integrate the students with the area.
The Bottega of Peace
Professors, religious groups, and individuals interested in peace and spirituality can participate in a living debate which, while teaching about these issues, can further develop interesting ideas for reflection, as well as work on more specific projects of the group’s choosing.
The Bottega of Food and Wine
Participants study the historical roots of the traditional Italian cuisine pursuing a more in depth understanding of local ingredients, nutritional values, and regional recipes. This course of study will also explore regional Italian wines as well as the preparation of an integrated menu. They will also be taught about table decoration inspired by various époques from the medieval period through the renaissance, the baroque, etc.
The Bottega of the Humanities
Art and Iconography: we will enable participants to read the symbols, philosophy and Biblical stories expressed through the imagery.
Archeology: The Etruscans, the culture, the sites.
Music: Studies of traditional music including music of the Middle Ages, as well as contemporary music and composers; “intuitive music” with flautist Andra Ceccomori.
Film: short films produced by students at Pieve will have the chance to be presented at the Agosto Corcianese Festival in Corciano in conjunction with the Montana Hatch festival.
Theatre: participants will study the history of the theatre, performances, stage design, study of theatrical texts.
Creative writing: This Bottega will be presented by writers and participants will have the opportunity to meet Italian and American visiting writers.
The Bottega of Creativity
This bottega focuses on independent creative thinking. There will be an emphasis on cross-disciplinary possibilities where a wide range of disciplines can work cooperatively on common interests or goals.
The duration of each bottega is flexible according to the needs of the individual programs. In addition to program costs Pieve also provides excellent housing immediately adjacent to the program space. (Pieve Country House website)
