artist in officina
Artist Residency
Emanuele Fasciani
6.07 - 26.07 2025
Paul Gregory and Tessa Singleton have lived for many years in the small Tuscan village of Montefollonico. "We love art and over time have built a small collection of paintings, sculpture and photographs by artists from around the world. In recent years, we have become increasingly aware of the challenges facing small villages like ours – depopulation, new technology and climate change. In the light of these and other considerations, each year we would like to offer an internationally renowned artist, a temporary residency in this beautiful part of Italy giving them the opportunity to develop their own creativity in an appropriate environment. To this end, we have created a modern living and working space in the Officina, which used to be the blacksmith’s workshop in Montefollonico. This is the artistinofficina project."
​
Our first resident artist was Margareth Dorigatti who produced new works in her Epistolarium-Attesa series. You can see a video presentation here. In August 2024, our resident was the Polish artist, Agata Stępień who explored the theme of buried memory in her work Memoria Absentia.
​
In 2025 our resident will be the Italian artist Emanuele Fasciani who will create a site-specific installation that explores the dialogue between spiritual and contemporary dimensions.
​
Each year interested artists are invited to submit proposals for using this residency to create new works in their particular field.
​
If you would like to be kept informed of progress on the project, or are interested in applying for the 2026 residency, please contact us via the form shown at the foot of the page.
​
Montefollonico
Montefollonico, in the comune of Torrita di Siena, is a small hilltop village dating back to the 13th century that offers spectacular views over the Val d'Orcia to the east and the Val di Chiana to the west. To the south is Monte Amiata, which as legend would have it, was the former home of the divinity Saturn who in pre-history ushered in the so-called Golden Age. Montefollonico has a lively community with a local theatre, a choir, football team and once a year, a Vin Santo festival. There is a restaurant, a bar, a pharmacy and a well stocked local supermarket.
Officina
The Officina, once the workshop of the village blacksmith, is located next to the historic centre of Montefollonico. It was converted by the Hosts into a studio apartment and workspace in 2018. It consists of an open plan living area with a well-equipped kitchen, 2 beds and a separate bathroom. The workroom at the rear (25 sq m) has a full height window, looking out onto a small, shaded patio. Sustainability was a factor during the conversion and most of the electrical power and heating are generated from solar panels on the property. Other services include high speed internet, support for video and audio presentations and a parking space.
Artist Residency
- a collaboration between Hosts and Artist
As Host we offer
-
The Officina for use during the residency as both accommodation and working space
-
Transport to and from the one of the local railway stations at the start and end of the residency
-
An introduction to the village and the surrounding area.
-
Board and lodging. We would hope that the Artist would use the local shops as far as possible to help support the village.
-
Services to the property including power, water, heating and internet.
-
Basic materials will be provided in agreement with the Artist.
-
On-hand assistance and advice to help resolve any problems that may arise with the Officina during the stay of the Artist.
-
The organisation of an exhibition of the works produced by the Artist during the residency, including invitations and a reception.
-
Production of a video of the Artist's work during the residency for the exhibition and for use on social media.
2025 Program
Emanuele Fasciani was born in Rome in 1994, where he currently lives and works. His training is characterized by multiple international experiences, including the Ecole Nationale Supérieur de Nancy (FR) and the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts de Liège (BE).
​
He obtained the Master Degree in decoration in 2020 at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome. In addition to a series of exhibitions at Rome, he made his first solo exhibition in 2019 at the Gallery of the Académie Royale es Beaux-Arts de Liège, and won the international sculpture competition Art Mogao Caves (CN).
In 2021, together with 4 other artists, he founded CONDOTTO48, an Artist-Run-Space in the Torre Angela area (RM). His artistic research is characterized by a strongly material approach that investigates the transformation of substances, starting from the concept of alchemical transmutation of matter.
​
His work during the residency -"Sacred Space: The Encounter of the Eternal with the Present" is an installation that involves the Triano Church in Montefollonico. The installation will consist of two large canvases of approx. 300x180cm made with encaustic, bitumen and gold leaf. The artist's intent is to evoke, through a conceptual representation, a feeling of transcendence that intertwines with everyday reality, inviting a renewed understanding of the sacred.
