Classroom in a Castle

UTRGV and city in Italy partner for official academic collaboration on art restoration

By Amanda A. Taylor-Uchoa

If you were to describe a stay in a 16th-century castle nestled in an ancient hilltop village in the Umbrian countryside, one might assume you’re talking about a dream vacation.

For groups of about 20 UTRGV students, however, this idyllic Italian countryside setting is actually the classroom for an immersive art restoration curriculum lasting six to 13 weeks each semester.

UTRGV and the Municipality of Monte Santa Maria Tiberina in Perugia, Italy, have signed an agreement to strengthen academic, scientific, and cultural relations between the two institutions.

The partnership, which became official in May this year, will allow UTRGV students to attend classes in Italy for extended periods of time to engage in academic, cultural, and research work within designated UTRGV studios and classrooms in the Monte Santa Maria Tiberina castle.

“There will be a lot of activities happening at the castle,” said Dr. Jeff Ward, dean of the UTRGV College of Fine Arts. “Students can use the castle as a home base for entire semesters, in addition to the minimesters already offered through our study abroad program.”

The official agreement was months in the making and now provides a five-year commitment between the two institutions, starting in fall 2025.

Last October, delegates from Italy visited UTRGV to get a feel for the campuses and to discuss the details of the collaboration.

Ward proposed several key initiatives, including continuing the university’s popular Study Abroad program for minimesters in January and May, along with new, semester-long courses in the fall and spring semesters. These courses would see students residing in Italy for six to 13 weeks, depending on the course.

Dr. Luis H. Zayas, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, said this historic partnership for the university has the potential to benefit students in fields beyond art history and restoration.

“This partnership begins with art restoration, but we hope, over time, it will expand to other areas of study, such as architecture, history, and politics. There will be so many opportunities, and students will be exposed to experiences that can’t be captured in a standard curriculum,” he said.

Not only will this new partnership immerse students in cultural learning, Zayas said, but it could also create new job opportunities for students.

“Students will acquire unique knowledge and skills that they can pass on to others,” he said. “They will be transformed by the skills they develop in Italy, which they can translate into career opportunities many of our students probably never imagined possible.”

MULTIDISCIPLINARY BENEFITS

Dr. Jaime Ortiz, UTRGV professor of International Business and Entrepreneurship within the Office of Global Affairs and a control board member of the new program, said the collaboration’s impact will be immense.

“Even though the College of Fine Arts is the primary initiator of this partnership, I foresee faculty from every UTRGV college and school participating regularly,” he said. “They will offer courses, seminars, workshops, research opportunities, internships, and volunteering activities for students.”

Ortiz said this partnership will not only broaden students’ horizons but also create exciting opportunities.

“In today’s world, being a global citizen is imperative,” he said. “This partnership presents an exciting opportunity for UTRGV students to travel to and study at the heart of Europe, learning about its most compelling social, legal, economic, political, and technological aspects, particularly in relation to Italy.”

‘A GATEWAY TO THE WORLD’

The goal is to have 20 students in residence in Italy each semester. Ward said the five-year agreement could be extended, depending on the program’s success, which is the first of its kind for UTRGV.

“I always view a university as a gateway to the world for students, providing them with study abroad opportunities. To be fully immersed in another culture is so important,” Ward said. “I’m excited that our students will be able to learn about a new culture while bringing their own cultural heritage and background to this place.”

Ward said the collaboration will allow students to visit locations throughout Italy to experience restoration projects in artwork and historic archaeology firsthand.

“This program is designed to provide students with supplementary skills for their degree,” Ward said. “It will give them additional marketable skills and may encourage them to pursue a degree or master’s degree in art restoration, which is a requirement for restoration work in Europe.”

Dr. Elena Macias, UTRGV professor of Art and Design, was present in May for the official signing in Italy with her study abroad students. Macias, a long-time partner with the institutions, said the signing was a historic moment.

“This was a pivotal experience for students, as they will now be able to travel and study,” she said. “And they have the reassurance that they can achieve things they never thought they’d have the opportunity to do.”

Recent UTRGV alumna Macie Blohowiak, who earned a degree in Sociology this past spring and participated in the study abroad group led by Macias in May, said this new partnership is an incredible opportunity for students.

“During our study abroad trip, we witnessed the signing of the partnership paperwork, which was really cool,” the Dallas native said. “UTRGV having this kind of collaboration is amazing, and it’s going to provide so many benefits for future students.”