Civitella Fellows' Forum

The Watermill Center

2012-02-08T14:27:00.000-05:00

This past Monday, Civitella's New York staff visited the Watermill Center on Long Island, accompanied by performance artists John Kelly (CRF 2010, Advisory Council Member) and Pat Oleszko (CRF 2011). Watermill is an interdisciplinary arts center and performance laboratory that hosts residencies, performances, and exhibitions throughout the year. We were shown the Center and the grounds by Christopher Knowles, a poet and artist who has worked closely with Robert Wilson, the Center's founder.

The Watermill Center

Standing, from left: John Kelly, Mac Walton, Christopher Knowles, Tina Summerlin, and Pat Oleszko; seated: Executive Director Dana Prescott, with Chloe

Eve Beglarian (CRF 2006) on 'Studio 360'

2012-02-08T13:26:00.000-05:00

Eve Beglarian (CRF 2006) was recently interviewed by Kurt Anderson on WNYC's 'Studio 360', about her RiverProject Festival. You can listen to the interview, including two of Eve's compositions, below, or visit the Studio 360 website.

Friends of Civitella gathered in the Library at the last presentation of 2011

2012-01-31T09:52:00.000-05:00

Happy Chinese New Year from Yoko Inoue (CRF 2008)

2012-01-23T16:12:00.000-05:00

It's the Year of the Dragon, and we received this beautiful card made by Yoko Inoue (CRF 2008). Thank you, Yoko!

Update on Internships

2012-01-23T16:02:00.000-05:00

Over 80 candidates met the December 31, 2011 deadline for applying for our 2012 internship. Of these candidates, roughly 50 meet our varied requirements for the position, and of those 50, just 25 will be interviewed over the next several weeks by Skype. The applicant pool has better than doubled over the past year and the variety of backgrounds and nationalities is truly inspiring.

Diego Mencaroni, who supervises the interns and who will be conducting the interviews of the finalists said, "It is exciting to see candidates from Africa, Central and South America, Europe, the United States, and of course Italy, competing for this opportunity. I look forward to speaking with the finalists shortly."

Most candidates heard about the competition from websites and from our own community of Jury members, Nominators, Fellows, and Director's Guests. In addition to round trip airfare, room, and board, the successful candidate will receive a weekly stipend. With unemployment looming globally, this is an ideal formative position for someone willing to learn. The ideal candidate will spend a total of six months at Civitella.

Interns are involved with all aspects of daily life at the Castle: researching and introducing speakers, assisting the kitchen, setting up for receptions and public events, conducting field trips and excursions, general office assistance, and working in the library. Interns document events for the website, photograph the Fellows and their work, and assist the staff in special projects.

Of her experiences at Civitella, past intern, Briana Keating wrote, "Being a part of the Civitella community has been an extraordinary experience. This internship has expanded my knowledge of and affection for Italy and its rich culture, and, most significantly, has helped me mature and taught me invaluable skills."

We will post the profile of the 2012 successful candidate here by the end of March.

Diego Mencaroni

Miranda Lichtenstein (CRF 2009)

2012-01-17T15:44:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Miranda Lichtenstein (CRF 2009) and Cameron Martin on the birth of their son, Walker Aubrey Lichtenstein Martin!

Ales Debeljak (CRF 2002) essay

2012-01-17T12:43:00.000-05:00

Ales Debeljak (CRF 2002) recently published an essay, "The View from Union Street: From Yugoslavia to the European Union", in which he discusses political and cultural unity in the European Union and the former Yugoslav states.

Eli Gottlieb (Director's Guest 2010) review

2012-01-17T11:49:00.000-05:00

Eli Gottlieb's new novel, The Face Thief, is reviewed here by Anna Mundow. The book was just released today by HarperCollins.

Cynthia Marie Hoffman (Director's Guest 2011) interview

2012-01-17T10:20:00.000-05:00

For Devil's Lake journal, Cynthia Marie Hoffman (Director's Guest 2011) was interviewed by Nancy Reddy on her recent work and writing process. The interview can be read here.

Amy Sillman (CRF 1999) video

2012-01-10T17:08:00.000-05:00

For BOMB Magazine's website, Amy Sillman (CRF 1999) collaborated with poet Charles Bernstein on an animated video. The video, which can be seen here, features Sillman's animations accompanied by a reading of Bernstein's poem, entitled "Pinky's Rule".

David Lehman (CRF 2006): Favorite Poems of 2011

2012-01-03T12:25:00.000-05:00

For National Public Radio (U.S.), David Lehman (CRF 2006) has selected three of his favorite poems of 2011, including "The Mysterious Arrival of an Unusual Letter" by Mark Strand (Director's Guest 2011). You can read the article here.

Work at the Loggia

2012-01-03T08:08:00.000-05:00

Work has begun again in the Castle's Secret Garden.
The restoration of the loggia, which connects to our recently restored gallery, is now underway. Thanks to an anonymous donor, new garden furniture is being purchased so Fellows can make full use of this area.

"The Millions" Best-of-2011 List

2012-01-02T16:24:00.000-05:00

For the end of 2011, The Millions asked a number of writers to contribute to their "Favorite Books of 2011" list. Faith Adiele (CRF 2004) and Chika Unigwe (CRF 2008) are among the contributors, and their picks, along with some brief commentary, can be read here.

Kanishka Raja (CRF 2006) award

2012-01-02T10:40:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Kanishka Raja (CRF 2006), who recently received a grant from the Joan Mitchell Foundation through its "Painters & Sculptors" grant program.

Jo Shapcott (CRF 2008) wins award

2012-01-02T10:09:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to Jo Shapcott (CRF 2008), who was recently awarded the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry for her book Of Mutability.

Charles Bock (CRF 2011) Fiction Writing Workshop

2011-12-28T15:33:00.000-05:00

February 29th - March 4th, 2012, in New York City

This intimate, 5-session class will include a workshop of each student’s fiction, craft talks, and close editorial work. The class will be limited to 10 students. Sessions will last for 3 hours with Charles Bock (CRF 2011) illustrating how to find the heart of a story or novel, as well as how to pinpoint its weaknesses. Each student will leave the class with a greater understanding of revision and a game plan for the next step in their writing career.

Charles Bock is the author of the novel Beautiful Children (Random House 2008), which was a national and New York Times Bestseller, a 2008 New York Times Notable Book of the Year, and also won the Sue Kaufman award for a first novel from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. His fiction and nonfiction has appeared in anthologies, magazines, and literary journals including Harper’s, Esquire, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, AGNI, the Iowa Review, and the Mississippi Review. He’s received fellowships from the Civitella Ranieri Foundation, Yaddo, UCross, and the Vermont Studio Center, and has a MFA from Bennington College.

Class will meet in 5 sessions: Wednesday, February 29^th—Sunday, March 4th, 2012, 3-6 pm each day

All Classes will take place at the offices of the Civitella Ranieri Foundation, in Tribeca, New York City

Application Deadline: February 1, 2012. For complete details, please visit: http://charlesbockwritingworkshop.tumblr.com/.

Everett Bradley (CRF 2009) - 'Holidelic'

2011-12-20T10:54:00.000-05:00

Photos from Everett Bradley's (CRF 2009) annual Holidelic show at Joe's Pub in New York City, December 2011:

Everett will be performing the show on December 22nd in Hudson, NY, and on December 23rd in Philadelphia. You can see videos from the show on the Holidelic website.

John Harbison (CRF 2001) interview

2011-12-14T12:43:00.001-05:00

John Harbison (CRF 2001) was recently interviewed for NewMusicBox, and the substantial and substantive piece can be read here.

Visiting the Bogliasco Foundation

2011-12-13T09:12:00.000-05:00

Diego Mencaroni and Paola Serpolini visited the Liguria Study Center for Arts and Humanities in Bogliasco. In this picture with Ivana Folle (Director of the Liguria Study Center), Alessandra Natale (Associate Director) and Valeria Soave (Administrative Assistant)

Peter Orner Review

2011-12-12T12:26:00.000-05:00

Peter Orner's (CRF 2011) new novel, Love and Shame and Love, was reviewed yesterday in the New York Times Sunday Book Review. You can read the article here.

Civitella Gathering, December 6th

2011-12-12T11:05:00.001-05:00

Last Tuesday, Civitellians gathered at Kit White's (Director's Guest 2010) show at the Andre Zarre Gallery in New York. Hannah Tinti (CRF 2011) gave a reading and Kit spoke briefly about the work, much of which had been done while he was at Civitella.

Kit White (Director's Guest 2010) talking about the show; the drawings in this room were all done at Civitella

Hannah Tinti (CRF 2011) reading a short story

Margaret Elphinstone (CRF 2006) and Maurizio in the Guardian

2011-12-12T10:41:00.000-05:00

In the Guardian, Margaret Elphinstone tells the story of her favorite travel souvenir: a pair of wild boar tusks that Maurizio gave to her while she was staying at Civitella. You can read the story here.

Poems by Fanny Howe (CRF 2009)

2011-12-05T13:14:00.000-05:00

Fanny Howe (CRF 2009) has three new poems in this month's Poetry magazine: "Footsteps", "Everything", and "The Cenotaph".

Mist-shrouded Civitella

2011-11-30T08:42:00.001-05:00

Image taken near Serra Partucci

Peter Orner (CRF 2011) reading and talk

2011-11-28T16:05:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday, November 15th, Peter Orner (CRF 2011) gave a reading from his new novel Love and Shame and Love, at the Center for Fiction in New York City. The reading was followed by a talk, with his editor Pat Strachan, about the book and the editing process, and the event was attended by several Civitella Fellows and friends.

From left: Arthur Simms (Director's Guest 2008), Lucy Fradkin (Director's Guest 2008), Peter Orner (CRF 2011)

Rit Premnath (CRF 2011) and Monica Ferrell (CRF 2011)

Alexander Chee (CRF 2011)

Civitella Gathering and Reading in New York, December 6th

2011-11-28T13:17:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday, December 6th, Civitella Ranieri Foundation will be holding a small, informal gathering at the Andre Zarre Gallery in New York City. The gallery is currently showing work by Kit White (Director's Guest 2010), including a suite of 40 drawings done at Civitella. Hannah Tinti (CRF 2011) will also be giving a short reading, and refreshments will be served.

Tuesday, December 6th, 6 - 8 PM

Andre Zarre Gallery
529 West 20th Street, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10011

RSVP: mac@civitella.org

George Lewis (CRF 1998) Concert Review

2011-11-21T12:33:00.000-05:00

In the New York Times, a review and overview of composer George Lewis's work - you can read the article here.

Freya and Piergiovanni married

2011-11-21T12:06:00.000-05:00

Freya Yost (CR Intern 2011) and Piergiovanni Spaziani married in Perugia on November 4th

Vestiario / Bestiario - Vladimir Radunsky Exhibition at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome

2011-11-18T10:25:00.000-05:00

On Friday November 11 Vladimir Radunsky's (CRF2009) Exhibition was inaugurated in Rome. A collection of life-sized clothes for animals takes on a new shape and a new life in the Atelier of the Palazzo delle Esposizioni, with new pieces added for the occasion, alongside notes by the artist and wooden sculptures.

Riccardo Previdi (CRF 2011) exhibition, 11/3

2011-11-09T12:25:00.000-05:00

In October 2011, Riccardo Previdi (CRF 2011) was awarded the Italian Cultural Institute of New York's Premio Selezione Prize, and has created a site-specific installation at the Institute's headquarters in New York. The exhibition will be open through November 28th. The opening reception was held last Thursday, November 3rd, and was attended by several Civitella Fellows, Director's Guests, and other friends:

From left: Mac Walton, Katia Santibanez (Director's Guest 2011), Tina Summerlin, Riccardo Previdi (CRF 2011), Bobbie Oliver (Director's Guest 2009), Laura Barreca (Visual Arts Juror), John Haskell (CRF 2010)

Riccardo with Rit Premnath (CRF 2011)

Fred Ho (CRF 2001) video

2011-11-09T12:06:00.000-05:00

Video about Fred Ho's Sweet Science Suite, premiering this Sunday, November 13th, at the Guggenheim Museum in New York as part of the Works & Process Series:

Halloween Party at Civitella, October 31st 2011

2011-11-07T10:21:00.000-05:00

Writer Marko Pogacar and Director's Guest Hendrik Dey celebrate Halloween in costume at Castrabecco.

Fellows Donna Masini, Jyothi Basu, Kim Addonizio and Ivan Malerba with Director Dana Prescott at the Halloween party and final dinner at Civitella.

Fellow Rick Barot in costume as one of the Civitella lunch boxes (Barbagianni) on Halloween, October 31st 2011

Civitella Podcast: Charles Bock (CRF 2011) reading from "Beautiful Children"

2011-11-02T16:53:00.000-04:00

This week's Civitella podcast features Charles Bock (CRF 2011) reading from his novel "Beautiful Children", at Civitella Ranieri, September 2011:

You can subscribe to the Civitella podcast here, or through iTunes.

Soren Nils Eichberg (CRF 2008) video and discussion

2011-11-01T11:24:00.000-04:00

In the following video, Soren Nils Eichberg (CRF 2008) discusses his music with violinist Hilary Hahn, including his work Levitation:

Fellows Reading and Recital at Civitella in NYC

2011-10-31T16:20:00.000-04:00

Last Friday, October 28, a small gathering was held at the Civitella Ranieri Foundation offices in New York for a poetry reading and recital by two Civitella Fellows, poet Jorge Esquinca (CRF 2009, Mexico) and composer Manuel Sosa (CRF 2009, USA/Venezuela). Jorge read selections from his 2008 collection of poetry, A Flash of Cobalt Blue (Descripción de un brillo azul cobalto), in the original Spanish as well as Dan Bellm's English translation. In between Jorge's poems, flutist Adam Kuenzel of the Minnesota Orchestra performed two of Manuel's solo works: Tractus III for alto flute (2008) and Graphium for flute (2008). Despite the chilly night outside, it was a wonderful, warm evening of beautiful poetry and music. We would like to thank Jorge, Manuel, and Adam for reading and performing, and we'd also like to thank the audience (which included Pat Oleszko (CRF 2011) and Maria Negroni (CRF 2007)) for braving the cold trek out to TriBeCa and being so welcoming and receptive.

Jorge Esquinca (CRF 2009) reading

Adam Kuenzel, flute, performs works by Manuel Sosa (CRF 2009)


Visual artist Pat Oleszko (CRF 2011) with Manuel, after the performance

From left: Jorge, Manuel, and Adam, after the performance

Eun-Joung Cho Presentation, October 25th 2011

2011-10-28T04:54:00.000-04:00

Korean visual artist Eun-Joung Cho in front of her work in the Civitella Gallery. She exhibited 5 oil paintings completed at Civitella and spoke about her work to Fellows.

David Kertzer Presents at Civitella October 24th 2011

2011-10-27T04:39:00.000-04:00

Kertzer, an authority on Italian politics, society, history and political symbolism lectures on ''Mussolini and the Pope'' in the castle library with Fellows and guests.

Civitella Podcast: Salvatore Scibona (CRF 2011) reading

2011-10-24T15:18:00.000-04:00

This week's Civitella podcast features Salvatore Scibona reading the beginning of his novel, "The End", at Civitella Ranieri in September 2011:

You can subscribe to the Civitella podcast here, or through iTunes.

Dora Malech (CRF 2009) Interview at 'Authors Compare'

2011-10-24T14:16:00.000-04:00

Dora Malech was recently interviewed for 'Authors Compare', a web project of the Australian Literary Review. You can read the interview here.

Jyothi Basu (CRF 2011) Presentation at Civitella, October 20th

2011-10-24T10:42:00.001-04:00

Indian visual artist Jyothi Basu speaks to Fellows and friends of Civitella in the gallery last Wednesday

Fellows visit Ravenna October 18th 2011

2011-10-24T09:30:00.000-04:00

Fellows visit Sant'Apollinare in Classe October 18th with scholar Hendrik Dey (DG) just outside of Ravenna

The group examines the exquisite mosaics in Sant'Apollinare Nuova in the city center

Fellows Rick Barot, Eun-Joung Cho, Kim Addonizio, Donna Masini, Jyothi Basu, Matilde Sanchez and Director's Guest Hendrik Dey outside Dante's Tomb.

Maurizio's Fall Gardening Leads to a Castle Discovery.

2011-10-19T10:16:00.000-04:00

This small fountain was released from over 20 years of ivy growth during Maurizio's fall pruning.

Board of Directors Visit to Civitella: September 2011

2011-10-18T06:40:00.002-04:00

Civitella illuminated for a banquet in honor of the Ranieri Family and Board of Directors September 23rd 2011

Board, staff, and guests gather at the main entrance of the castle

The Board of Directors in the castle library: (from left) Gianfilippo Ranieri di Sorbello, Charles Hamilton, Jennifer Dowley, Helen C. Evarts, Gerald E. Rupp, John B. Roberts and Steven Evans (Patricia Cronin and Fred Reynolds not present)

Katia Santibanez Presents October 12th 2011

2011-10-17T09:58:00.000-04:00

James Siena and Katia Santibanez (Director's Guests 2011) in their studio at Civitella

Katia Santibanez discusses what she has been working on at Civitella, presenting both finished and unfinished drawings.

Fellows and Guests gathered at Katia's studio on October 12th for a reception and discussion on her recent work.

Apartment Needed in NY over Christmas- Swap for a Place in Rome?

2011-10-13T13:12:00.000-04:00

One of our Civitella colleagues is offering to swap either her apartment in Rome or her barn in Umbria, for a place in New York from approximately December 23rd to January 3rd, 2012. She is coming with her adult son.

Otherwise she is open to house or cat sitting, plant watering, etc. Send an email to civitella@civitella.org if you are interested.

Field Trip to Spoleto

2011-10-13T07:13:00.000-04:00

Group photo at the Tempietto sul Clitunno

At the church of San Salvatore in Spoleto with scholar Hendrik Dey

Matilde Sánchez Reading at Civitella October 10th 2011

2011-10-12T08:25:00.001-04:00

Presenting her non-fiction project, La Internacional de los Dementes

Eve Beglarian (CRF 2006) interview and video

2011-10-10T11:53:00.000-04:00

Eve Beglarian was recently interviewed by Frank Oteri for NewMusicBox; you can read the interview here, and view the video below (complete with performance excerpts):

Eve Beglarian: In Love with Both Sound and Language from NewMusicBox on Vimeo.

Patricia Cronin (CRF 2009, Board Member) Essay in "The Huffington Post"

2011-10-05T11:37:00.000-04:00

Patricia Cronin (CRF 2009) has a lovely, moving piece today in The Huffington Post, telling the story of her sculpture "Memorial To A Marriage", located in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx; the piece can be read here, and you can view images of the work on Pattie's website.

Call for Interns for the 2012 Season

2011-10-04T12:21:00.002-04:00

Civitella Ranieri Foundation 2012 Internships

Interns at Civitella are invited for a minimum of six weeks during this period of May through November. Arrival and departure dates should coincide as much as possible with the arrivals and departures of our Fellows; however, often we ask an intern to arrive a week or two earlier and to work an extra week or two at the end of the season to help us close. Priority is given to candidates with longer periods of availability to avoid too much turnover while in session. Ideally, we seek two to three interns to cover the entire season as outlined below.

2012 dates are as follows:

May 2 – June 8
June 12 – July 25
August 7 – September 14
September 19 – November 6

Role and Responsibilities:

- preparing rooms and equipment for Fellows’ arrival
- picking up and dropping off Fellows and Guests at train stations, bus stations and airports
- giving orientation information
- assisting Fellows (visual artists, writers and composers) in their work
- running errands
- greeting guests and giving tours of the Castle to visitors
- general office work and assistance
- preparing for events, including technical assistance and cleaning up
- communicating with the kitchen for meal planning
- helping to clear tables and set up for receptions
- re-shelving and cataloguing books, videos and DVDs in the Library
- cataloguing and organizing the art collection for the Civitella Gallery
- planning, researching and presenting historical and cultural information for field trips
- general assistance to the Executive Director, Fellows’ Coordinator, and Office Manager

Skills and Requirements:

Working knowledge of English and Italian is necessary, as is a valid driver’s license and international driver’s license. Interns must be able to drive a large standard stick shift vehicle. We prefer interns who have advanced computer skills, some experience in the arts, in study or work abroad, and who are self-motivated, independent, work well in a group/team environment, have the flexibility to deal with the unpredictable set of tasks which vary from day to day, and are able to deal with an intensely motivated community in an idyllic but somewhat isolated place of work. An ideal intern should maintain a positive, willing and helpful attitude among co-workers and Fellows, and should be open and diplomatic in his/her interactions with people from diverse backgrounds and ages.

Compensation:

We offer selected candidates roundtrip airfare/transportation (from place of residence to Civitella), lodging and meals for the period of internship, and a stipend for incidental expenses of $150 per week. Means of payment is coordinated through the New York office.

To Apply:

Send a complete CV including the names of two references, their relationship to you and their telephone numbers. We request a cover letter explaining why the internship would be meaningful work experience for you. How might you best contribute to the Civitella community? What past experiences have helped prepare you for working at Civitella? Do you meet all the above requirements? All applications are due by December 31, 2011 and should be e-mailed to the Fellows’ Coordinator at diego@civitella.org.

We review the applications in January and begin telephone/Skype™ interviews in early February. A committee will choose the finalists by the end of February, and notification is sent to all candidates in early March.

For more information see our website at www.civitella.org.

Kay Ryan (Director's Guest 2011) Wins MacArthur Fellowship

2011-09-20T10:13:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Kay Ryan, who was recently awarded a 2011 MacArthur Foundation Fellowship.

Franco Mondini-Ruiz (CRF 2009) Video

2011-09-19T15:42:00.000-04:00

Video about Franco Mondini-Ruiz's latest show, Poodles and Pastries & Other Important Matters, at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

UNESCO-Aschberg Bursaries for Artists: 2012 Call for Applications

2011-09-19T11:10:00.002-04:00

Through the UNESCO-Aschberg Bursaries for Artists Program, Civitella Ranieri is offering one music fellowship by application to composers between the ages of 25 and 35 years old, from countries other than the U.S. and U.K. There is more information in the release below, as well as on the Civitella website – please share this information with anyone who may be interested.

UNESCO-Aschberg Bursaries for Artists Programme 2012

The UNESCO-Aschberg Bursaries for artists programme has the pleasure to announce the 2012 call for applications. The Programme encourages the mobility of young artists through art residencies abroad.

This call is open to composers between 25 and 35 years old who were born outside of the US or the UK.

To consult the list of bursaries available for 2012 please visit our website at www.unesco.org/culture/aschberg. You will find direct links to institutions and instructions on the application procedures and necessary dates.

Please share this information with all those who may be interested.

Scrabble in the Castle!

2011-09-19T10:54:00.000-04:00

Group 3 spent its last evening playing Scrabble in "Scarabeo" in the Castle. Hannah Tinti (CRF 2011) reports that, "...the spirit of Ursula was with Charles [Bock] - he beat us all with 163 points."

The final board - click for full-size picture

Sandra Ramos (CRF 1998) - "90 Miles: Living in the Vortex"

2011-09-12T17:15:00.000-04:00

Cuban artist Sandra Ramos's (CRF 1998) solo exhibition 90 Miles: Living in the Vortex, which recently ended at Dot Fiftyone Gallery in Miami, received good reviews in ArtSlant, KnightArts, and El Nuevo Herald (in Spanish).

Cyrus Summerlin and Chloe

2011-09-12T14:38:00.001-04:00

Accompanying Tina Summerlin on her recent music jury trip to Civitella was her son Cyrus, a welcome addition to our community. An avid ping-pong player, he is here pictured with Dana's new puppy, Chloe.

Yoko Inoue (CRF 2008): Insite | Art + Commemoration

2011-09-12T13:36:00.000-04:00

In this project commissioned by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Yoko Inoue shares a brief essay reflecting on 9/11, as well as a slideshow of images. You can read the essay and view the images at this link.

Ernesto Cardenal (CRF 2001) on PBS

2011-09-06T12:35:00.000-04:00

From PBS Newshour, poet Ernesto Cardenal reads his work:

Watch the full episode. See more PBS NewsHour.

Fanny Howe (CRF 2009) poem and video

2011-09-06T12:32:00.000-04:00

Fanny Howe's poem "Outremer" appears in the September 2011 issue of Poetry magazine. It is available to read online here.

This video, a collaboration with Maceo Senna, is based on the poem:

Outremer from Fanny Howe on Vimeo.

2011-09-05T07:14:00.000-04:00

Susan Astleford's "Gate into the Secret Garden, Civitella Ranieri, Umbria, Italy" 11x14", oil on RayMar panel --- and part of "Pappagalli" maioliche, one of the designs at Ubaldo Grazia Maioliche.

2011-09-02T05:25:00.000-04:00

Hannah Tinti captured Diego and Maurizio hard at work on Wednesday evening. Our BBQ celebrated

Tina Summerlin's visit to Civitella, and the end of the Music Jury's deliberations in selecting new Fellows for 2012 and 2013.

Riccardo Benassi (CRF 2011) article in "La Provincia"

2011-08-30T15:42:00.000-04:00

The Tuesday, August 30th edition of La Provincia di Cremona features an article on Civitella Fellow Riccardo Benassi's project Standard Sentimento.

Lexi Rudnitsky First Book Prize in Poetry Application

2011-08-30T10:42:00.002-04:00

The Lexi Rudnitsky First Book Prize is a collaboration between Persea Books and the Lexi Rudnitsky Poetry Project. It sponsors the annual publication of a collection by an American woman poet who has yet to publish a full-length book of poems. The winner receives an advance of $1,000.00 and publication of her collection by Persea. In addition, the winner receives the option of an all-expenses-paid residency at the Civitella Ranieri Center, a renowned artists colony housed in a fifteenth-century castle in Umbertide, Italy.

The entry period for the Prize is September 1 - October 31, 2011.

For more information and application details, please visit the Persea Books website.

Civitella Podcast: Josip Novakovich (DG 2011) reading

2011-08-29T15:27:00.000-04:00

Josip Novakovich reading his short story "The Ice" at Civitella Ranieri, August 2011:

You can subscribe to the Civitella podcast here, or through iTunes.

Director's Guest Josip Novakovich Gives a Reading

2011-08-25T08:16:00.000-04:00

Photo provided by Fellow Hannah Tinti 2011

Civitella Lamb

2011-08-24T13:00:00.001-04:00

Visual artist Sakshi Gupta (CRF 2011, India) and documentary filmmaker Ahmad Yazid (CRF 2011, Malaysia) have joined forces to film a lamb in the Castle. Inspired by the history of Civitella Ranieri in which the holy spirit, in the form of a resurrected lamb, visited Ranieri family members, Sakshi and Yazid are filming a fictional reenactment.

Photo by Hannah Tinti (CRF 2011)

Salvatore Scibona (CRF 2011) article and interview in "Europa"

2011-08-23T13:31:00.000-04:00

Sreshta Rit Premnath (CRF 2011) - "MASK (Nonme Domabis)"

2011-08-23T13:00:00.000-04:00

Video presented at Civitella Ranieri in July 2011; you can read more about the project here.

MASK (Nonme Domabis) from sreshta premnath on Vimeo.

Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grants

2011-08-22T10:31:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Eun-Joung Cho (CRF 2011) and Anita Thacher (CRF 2002), who were recently awarded grants from the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, along with Maria Elena Gonzales (Director's Guest 2009) and Lucy Fradkin (Director's Guest 2008).

http://www.pkf.org/

Eliza Griswold (CRF 2011) interview

2011-08-16T10:33:00.000-04:00

On the Leonard Lopate Show on WNYC, Eliza Griswold discusses the tenth parallel and the religious, ethnic, and tribal conflicts that surround it: listen here.

Congratulations to Aaron Hamburger (CRF 2009)

2011-08-15T13:25:00.000-04:00

He and his partner Anthony were married in New York last week - congratulations!

Celeste Maia Bentley (CRF 2010) video - "About Time"

2011-08-15T11:27:00.000-04:00

Featuring Mateo Barreiro (CRF 2010) and Victoria Redel (Director's Guest 2010)

ABOUT TIME - English from Celeste Maia Bentley on Vimeo.

Francine Prose (Advisory Council Member) reading

2011-08-09T11:21:00.000-04:00

On KQED radio's "The Writer's Block", Francine Prose reads a passage from her recently released novel My New American Life. You can listen to the reading here.

Gabriel Fried (Director's Guest 2011) Interview with RAI

2011-08-03T14:15:00.003-04:00

In June 2011, RAI's Luigia Sorrentino came to Civitella Ranieri to interview Fellows and Director's Guests. Here's her interview with poet Gabriel Fried.

Listen to Gabriel Fried reading his poem "The Places We Knew Not To Go As Children":

Ishmael Beah (CRF 2011) interviewed for RAI

2011-08-01T10:29:00.000-04:00

In June 2011, RAI (Italian national television station) came to Civitella and interviewed Fellows and Director's Guests. Here is Ishmael Beah, a writing Fellow, being interviewed by Luigia Sorrentino.

Mark Strand reading at Civitella on June 29th 2011

2011-07-25T05:45:00.000-04:00

Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Wholey

Caren Canier and Langdon Quin's show in Gubbio

2011-07-25T05:40:00.000-04:00

Valerio Rocco Orlando Interview on Rai News 24 blog

2011-07-22T07:00:00.000-04:00

to open the link please click here

Kit White (Director's Guest 2010) Interview

2011-07-20T15:36:00.000-04:00

For NY Arts Magazine, Jason Stopa and Kit White discuss painting, horizons, the real and the simulacrum, and Kit's current projects.