Spoleto Study Abroad 2014: Town and Country

The Writers' Workshop

The writers have spent the past few days learning more about their city and its inhabitants. Jan Guffin, the creative writing teacher, has been a part of the Spoleto Study Abroad program since its conception. Through the years Jan has cultivated relationships with local bookmakers, store owners, glass artisans, cafe proprietors, and other hotel owners. These connections have allowed the students to view the town through a different lens and journal in unique places. The below text and most of the photos are courtesy of Dr. Guffin.

Jan asks the students to pause at the town limits of Spoleto to ponder the relationship between "town and country."

14 july. After completing a self-assessment instrument, Creative Writing students shared their data in a personal conference with me, which enables me to gain personal insight to their self-concepts and their major interests. I then described for them an overview of the course, told them how the performance classes will work, and conducted a discussion about the importance of voice in writing, the ability to observe with all the senses, and the value of finding one’s own voice while observing the world and its people. We then proceeded to visit the art store, where I introduced them to the Paoluzzi family, visited a local gallery where they heard a brief lecture from a local artist, and ended our walk at the shop of the artist’s family store where they produce customized shirts for their patrons.

The writers exit the old gates of Spoleto and walk the portico toward Correolano.

A 360 shot of the writers completing a "360" journal entry during the journey to Correolano.

15 July: The Creative Writers ventured past the Spoleto hospital and beyond the city limits, up the steep and narrow road to the tiny village of Coreolanno. We stopped on our return trip at Villa Christina, a local county inn which provides an entirely new perspective on the city of Spoleto (looking back at the town instead of looking out from it). Anna Maria, the proprietor, was in town on business, and her assistant, Fredericka, graciously volunteered to prepare a cold drink for us, as you will notice in the photograph. The students were not only impressed by the beautiful view from the countryside, but equally impressed by the warm hospitality of Federicka!

The students journaling at Villa Christina.

The writing students, fellows, and Frederika at the Villa Christina.

The view of Spoleto on the walk back home from Villa Christina.

The students listening to the proprietor of the Hotel san Luca explain the history of the location and courtyard fountain blessed by Pope Gregory IX.

17 July: Today we ventured out of Old Spoleto, through the Garibaldi Gate into New Spoleto, up the long hill to the highway, and finally to the city’s cemetery, where we discussed the Italian customs related to death and dying, viewed the various kinds of tombs which are used, visited the beautiful ancient chapel atop the cemetery, then journaled for a considerable amount of time, reflecting on all we had seen and felt. We concluded our trip back into town with a surprise visit to a local Choccolateria, which the students seemed to thoroughly enjoy as a bit of an uplift after such an intense and introspective studio experience.