The University of Virginia launches a new academic center focused on studies in Venice and Vicenza
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The University of Virginia School of Architecture announced today that a new academic center has been created that focuses on studies in Venice and Vicenza.
The Mario di Valmarana Center for Studies in Venice and Vicenza, located within the former Vescovado (the Bishop’s Palace) in the center of Vicenza will establish a long-term footprint in Italy to anchor existing education abroad programs, while also forging new partnerships and expanding student access to learning opportunities in this region.
The naming of the center was approved at the June 6 Board of Visitors meeting.
This year marks fifty years since Professor Mario di Valmarana (1929-2010) established the University of Virginia’s first international study abroad program in his native Vicenza, followed soon after by the Venice program. Over five decades, more than 1,200 students from the architecture school have participated in the Veneto programs.
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"Professor Valmarana envisioned these programs as an extension of the University where students could immerse themselves in experiential learning, imbuing knowledge with culture," Dean of the UVA School of Architecture Malo A. Hutson said. "This center, so fittingly named in honor of Mario, carries forward these values, while also strengthening our global institutional partnerships well into the future."
The Valmarana Center is the University of Virginia’s first academic center abroad, with over 15,000 square feet of space consisting of classrooms, studios, meeting rooms, exhibition spaces and lodging for students and faculty. It is housed within a portion of the former Bishop’s Palace which was originally constructed in the Middle Ages and has undergone continual architectural transformations. The current building, a 20th century reconstruction built after the original was destroyed during the Second World War, retains Palladian architectural elements. The center will be located primarily in the building's southern section, overlooking the garden, known in Vicenza as the bishop's orchard, and partly in the former clergy residence.
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A signing ceremony at the Vescovado held on September 24th brought together University of Virginia administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni, members of the Valmarana family, and supporters of the Veneto programs in celebration of the center’s mission to serve as a site for the study of the region’s rich architectural heritage and evolving contemporary urban conditions. Hosted in partnership with the Diocese of Vicenza, dignitaries including the mayor of Vicenza and president of the province of Vicenza, joined the honorary event.
"UVA is proud to celebrate the establishment of the Valmarana Center in Vicenza on the 50th anniversary of our oldest study abroad program in the world," said Vice Provost for Global Affairs Stephen Mull. "We look forward to working in the years ahead to expand beyond the School of Architecture’s impressive offerings to develop the center as a prime location for interdisciplinary research and study to benefit the entire University."
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Mario di Valmarana Professor of Architecture William Sherman serves as the inaugural director for the center. Sherman said that the new center will help UVA expand its programming with new study abroad opportunities, professional education and alumni engagement. The center also will facilitate partnerships among UVA faculty and Italian scholars from renowned institutions in the region.
"Venice and Vicenza, with their unique identity as a global crossroads, provide a living laboratory for the study of urban life and culture," he said. "Over the past half-century, the School of Architecture has built strong and meaningful relationships in the region that are ripe for further growth and longevity. We are excited to embark on this next chapter."
Media Contact
Sneha Patel
Executive Director of Communications
UVA School of Architecture
snehapatel@virginia.edu
