Italian Art: In Stabiano Exhibition 2004-2008

The Triclinium Fresco, Stabiano's most valued frescoes, marbles, and artifacts on display.

Adopt-A-Fresco is only one of the many projects launched by RAS to make the archaeological park a reality. RAS is also the organizer of the 2004-2008 US Tour of In Stabiano: Exploring the Ancient Seaside Villas of the Roman Elite, an exhibition that is currently on display at the Toledo Museum of Art in Toledo, OH, through January 28th, 2007.

In Stabiano has traveled to museums in San Diego, Washington DC, and Atlanta to name a few, and will travel to other US cities like Dallas, TX; Madison, WI; and Jacksonville, FL. More than three million people have seen the exhibition thus far, and marveled at the beautiful frescoes, marbles, and artifacts on display.

In Stabiano opening at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in 2004, Washington DC

Though the foundation has enjoyed partnerships and support from prominent Italian institutions like the Superintendancy of Archeology of Pompeii, the Region of Campania; and in the US from the University of Maryland, the National Italian American Foundation, the Italian Embassy and many other institutions, major sponsorship is still needed to make future exhibitions possible and to create the archaeological park.

Visitor admiring the Flora, Diana, and Medea (right to left) at the Nevada Museum of Art

International Academic Opportunities

View of the Vesuvian International Institute of Archeology and Humanities

As part of the RAS mission to integrate the site of Stabiae into the international academic community, the Foundation has recently taken over management of a former Salesian theological college in Castellammare di Stabiae, only minutes away form the villa sites, to transform it into the first research and academic center in the south of Italy. The Vesuvian International Institute of Archeology and the Humanities, (VIIAH) to open in May of 2007, will be the first residential study facility in the Bay of Naples which will suit the wide array of interest shared by foreign scholars to explore the wealth of historical, artistic and cultural patrimony of the Vesuvian regions.

In its first year of operation, the Institute targets professor-led student groups of high school, university, and advanced researcher level, who for the most part, are largely self-sufficient in their approach.

View of the Bay of Naples from the Institute

In the near future the Institute will partner with other American and European institutions to offer specific programs for research and on site degree and non-degree educational programs. The Institute offers facilities for student groups such as equipped classrooms, conference rooms, and an auditorium. View of the Vesuvian International Institute of Archeology and Humanities

The Naples area is one of the great cultural capitals of Europe, and the institute will be the first broadly based study institute located there serving programs from high school and cultural tours to advanced researchers.

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Conservation Mission

Because of RAS' broad scope of work, there are many different areas to support. The extensive on-site emergency conservation plan, estimated at $325,000 by a preliminary assessment made by fresco-painting conservators from the US and Italy, is the first step in saving the imperiled materials already unearthed. The conservation mission would stabilize a large portion of the most exposed frescoes in twelve rooms in one of Stabiae's largest villas, Villa Arianna. The work would bring back to its vibrant colors many of the frescoes and would provide immediate roofing to some of the most endangered areas. We invite corporate as well as individual support to make this conservation mission possible.

Conservator working on the Triclinium Fresco

The Restoring Ancient Stabiae (RAS) Foundation is determined to make the archeological park a reality, and we need your support! With the collaboration of individuals like you the ancient Stabiae site can become a multifaceted destination for tourists, students, scholars, scientists and anyone who is passionate about preserving and protecting a piece of Italian patrimony that belongs not only to Italy, but to humanity.

To learn more about the RAS project and foundation and for more information on Adopt-A-Fresco please visit: www.stabiae.org or contact: Cristina Marcantonio, US Office Coordinator Tel. 202-349-0866 email cmarcantonio@stabiae.org or info@stabiae.org The Restoring Ancient Stabiae (RAS) Foundation is a cultural non-profit foundation under article 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service, all donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Cristina Marcantonio