Scheduled courses
Our Art School teaches textile skills at every level, from the basic to the highly specialised, with study programs concentrating on both ancient and contemporary textiles. Training comprises theoretical lessons – identification, technical analysis, basic concepts – and practical aspects such as design, weaving, restoration and embroidering. Our annual course calendar is constantly being updated; we also plan customised courses to meet the training needs of public and private entities.


April 17, 2023
Plain cloth. Recognition, analysis and cataloguing | In Person | In Italian
Course participants learn how to identify the constituent elements of woven textiles according to the methods proposed by the Centre International d’Etude des Textiles Anciens. Observation of historical samples in varying states of conservation, modern reconstructions and contemporary wovens.

April 26, 2023
Weaving on the shaft loom: threading and drafting
Theoretical/practical course to learn textile drafting; that is, how to read a diagram of the various components, threading, knotting and pedal set-up, and then weaving from the drawing on the loom.

April 28, 2023
Embroidery. Recognition of embroidery stitches and techniques | ONLINE |
Recognition of one-dimensional stitches in a continuous direction (running stitches) and back stitches; two-dimensional stitches, combined stitches; stitches creating fabrics; stitches for embroidering with sequins, beads and other materials.

May 18, 2023
Online Course | Bobbin lace. Recognition, Study and Cataloguing
The aim of the course is to offer tools to recognize, analyze and describe laces, through the observation of objects in various states of conservation, both ancient and contemporary. Teacher: Thessy Schoenholzer Nichols

June 05, 2023
Fabrics: Basic notions of conservation and restoration
Introduction to textiles conservation and basic notions of restoration.

June 26, 2023
Jacquard Design and Weaving course + Lodging
Basic course to introduce participants to the Jacquard design process, to loom technology and the specifics of the Lisio loom set-ups. The student will stay at Fondazione Lisio apartments, price for this course is cumulative of the accomodation costs.

June 26, 2023
Jacquard Design and Weaving course
Basic course to introduce participants to the Jacquard design process, to loom technology and the specifics of the Lisio loom set-ups.

July 10, 2023
Study of Historical Techniques and Technologies: from basic weaves to brocade and other weft effects 2023
Intensive theoretical/practical seminar: the weave structures studied during the textile analysis courses are woven using a range of looms and visualization methods, to promote comprehension of the connection between weave annotation, analysis and loom technology.

July 17, 2023
Contemporary textile design inspired by historical Jacquard techniques
Representative samples of historical Jacquard techniques such as lampas, tacqueté, samitum are observed and analyzed. The number and function of warp and wefts series are identified, weave superimposition theory introduced and the drafting of complex weave structures practiced.

September 18, 2023
Historical Tailoring, Costume for the Performing Arts 2023-2025
The two-year course offers complete training, structured in quarters, aimed at acquiring sartorial professionalism for measuring up to and communicating with the various professional figures of the performing arts and live shows.

October 02, 2023
Plain cloth. Recognition, analysis and cataloguing 1 |ONLINE| English
Course participants learn how to identify the constituent elements of woven textiles according to the methods proposed by the Centre International d’Etude des Textiles Anciens. Observation of historical samples in varying states of conservation, modern reconstructions and contemporary wovens.

October 16, 2023
Figured fabrics. Recognition, analysis and cataloguing 2 |ONLINE| English
Practical exercises on samples of ancient fabrics and 20th-century reproductions to learn a method of analysis of simple and complex weave structures using such analysis tools as the pick glass, digital microscope and macrophotography. Students are provided with samples and lecture notes.