On Wednesday 11th October 2023, my fellow graduate Josh and I embarked on a once in a lifetime opportunity. After three years of hard work, we graduated from the City and Guilds of London Art School, with a BA (Hons) Conservation: Stone, Wood, and Decorative Surfaces. Following this, we were selected to carry out a 10-week stone conservation internship in Venice, held in collaboration with Abbazia di San Giorgio Maggiore – Benedicti Claustra Onlus and funded by the Venice in Peril Fund.
The beautiful Palladian Basilica is located on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, across the lagoon from mainland Venice and our accommodation was situated in the Benedictine monastery next to the church.
The area we were assigned to work on was The Altar of Saint Lucy situated on the North Wall of the Basilica. Following assessment of this space we implemented a programme of cleaning to remove and reduce heavy layers of dirt, dust and surface deposits that had accumulated over many years. Before attending the internship, we took part in the PASMA training course, organised by City and Guilds of London Art School, to equip us with the knowledge that would help us erect and deconstruct a mobile scaffold tower to enable us to reach the high areas. At the end of our internship, the difference that our conservation had made to the area was clear to see, confirming that this collaboration between City and Guilds of London Art School and Abbazia di San Giorgio Maggiore is very worthwhile.
Josh’s experience:
From the moment I received this award I knew it would be the most significant challenge in my career to date. I was very excited to learn about the monastery and the lifestyle in San Giorgio Maggiore Abbey as it seemed such a contrast to my life in London. It was nerve-wracking to think I would be there for 10 weeks with no understanding of the Italian language as well as the adjustment of both working and living with my friend Carla and managing each other’s stress and anxieties of being away from home.
That being said, the experience was wonderful. Everyone we met working at the church was very friendly and super helpful – I truly felt a part of the place within the first month. The lunches with the monks and the staff were a lovely part of the working day, not only for the tremendous food cooked by chef Fiorello but a great place for learning Italian phrases and feeling like part of the family. The work went smoothly thanks to my lovely colleague Carla and support from Carmelo. It was an honour to be a small part in the history of this incredible Palladian church.
Outside of the monastery I enjoyed two weekends with my family and also proposed to my partner on San Giorgio! The pace of life and the fortunate weather we experienced gave us some of the most relaxing days in such a beautiful setting. It will always have a place in my heart. A big thank you to City & Guilds of London Art School for awarding this to me, it has been life changing. Another thank you to Venice in Peril for your support and finally a thank you to everyone on the Island of San Giorgio for making it the most unforgettable experience.
Carla’s experience:
If someone had told me that in 2023, I would be spending 10 weeks living in a Benedictine monastery in Venice, carrying out stone conservation on a Palladian Basilica, I would never have believed them. Now in my early fifties, with a husband and two adult children, I felt it was time to try something different. So, I sent in my application form without thinking too deeply about the fact I would be away from home for so long adopting a mostly solitary lifestyle.
After the initial jubilation when I found out I had been accepted, the enormity of the situation began to dawn on me. Would I crumble after the first week away? Would I gel with the people working in the Abbey? Would my good friendship with Josh remain intact? Well, I’m happy to say that all my fears were unfounded. To say that the 10 weeks spent in Venice were life changing would be an understatement. From the moment we arrived we were made to feel like part of the San Giorgio Maggiore family. From Carmelo our supervisor, to the lovely Paola who took care of our washing, every person that worked at The Abbey was very special. Despite the language barrier we all managed to communicate, and the communal lunches were a highlight of the day. It would not be unknown for the whiskey and limoncello to make an appearance!
I was lucky enough to have visits from friends and family that helped stave off the feelings of homesickness that popped up every so often. The Venice in Peril Fund organized some amazing trips for us whilst we were there, including visits to The Misericordia Conservation Labs and a performance at the church of San Nicolo dei Mendicoli.
Being able to carry out conservation work on such a historic building whilst being in such beautiful surroundings is a memory that will stay with me forever. I’m just glad that I was able to share it with my good friend Josh. Thanks must go to City and Guilds of London Art School and the Abbazia di San Giorgio Maggiore -Benedicti Claustra Onlus for facilitating this amazing experience and of course The Venice in Peril Fund for providing the funding to enable me to take part, and the great support we received from their representative in Venice, Susan Steer.
Words and Images by Carla Learoyd and Josh Horsfall.
The altar of Santa Lucia following conservation
