Messors
Through our art restoration workshops, culinary workshops and art sojourns we want to share our passion, knowledge and connection with our native land of Puglia.
Our authentic stimulating experiences give insight to the real Puglian people and their culture, history, food, and archeological and artistic treasures.
We are located in the the heel of Italy that for centuries has embodied the idea of travelers and trades. A thirsty land characterized by roughly hewn labyrinths of dry stone walls, groves of centenarian olive trees, subterranean worlds of Byzantine frescoes, shepherds, and both rural and flamboyant architecture that today, narrate centuries of neolithic man to modern day.
A spirited sun drenched region of 'passegiattas, and celebrations of the traditional way of life and gastronomy.
Our Approach & Philosophy
Program founder and director Tonio Creanza has been running fresco and art restoration and volunteer camps for 20 years. Since early childhood he has harvested the grapes and olives, and seeded the Murgian plains with wheat. As a teenager, he explored the underground caves and learned to identify the geographical clues of hidden Hellenic burial sites. His passion for the historically rich region is echoed in the programs approaching them with the enthusiastic concept : 'to do is to learn'- recognizing the importance of process and learning through practice.
All of our workshop leaders and contributors share this same spirit.
Through our art restoration workshops, culinary workshops and art sojourns we want to share our passion, knowledge and connection with our native land of Puglia.
Our authentic stimulating experiences give insight to the real Puglian people and their culture, history, food, and archeological and artistic treasures.
We are located in the the heel of Italy that for centuries has embodied the idea of travelers and trades. A thirsty land characterized by roughly hewn labyrinths of dry stone walls, groves of centenarian olive trees, subterranean worlds of Byzantine frescoes, shepherds, and both rural and flamboyant architecture that today, narrate centuries of neolithic man to modern day.
A spirited sun drenched region of 'passegiattas, and celebrations of the traditional way of life and gastronomy.
Our Approach & Philosophy
Program founder and director Tonio Creanza has been running fresco and art restoration and volunteer camps for 20 years. Since early childhood he has harvested the grapes and olives, and seeded the Murgian plains with wheat. As a teenager, he explored the underground caves and learned to identify the geographical clues of hidden Hellenic burial sites. His passion for the historically rich region is echoed in the programs approaching them with the enthusiastic concept : 'to do is to learn'- recognizing the importance of process and learning through practice.
All of our workshop leaders and contributors share this same spirit.
History
In 1989 an enthusiastic group with various specialties in the areas of conservation of the regional artistic and cultural heritage, gathered together to form a collective under the name 'Sinergie'. Since its inception, under the guidance of program founder director Tonio Creanza, the company has been working on: archeological research, extensive restoration projects on frescoes, architecture, canvas, wood and stone statues and decorative painting, guided tours, educational field school projects, and "study abroad university programs" credited courses in fresco restoration and archeology.
In 1993 'Sinergie' proposed to the municipality of Altamura, a project titled "Eutropia": -to restore and promote an important historical-archeological site Masseria Jesce. The educational volunteer project ran from 1995 to 2009 and hosted over 700 volunteers coming from abroad to help and learn traditional stone wall techniques of restoration. By 2009 70% of the site was restored and is now used by the community for arts and culture events.
Between 2004 and 2008 'Sinergie' in conjunction with Dr. Joan Walker collaborated with James Madison University of Virginia to offer credit programs in the area of fresco restoration and archeology in the Puglia region.
In 2010 the group has established Masseria La Selva an 18th century hunting lodge as the location to lodge and conduct their workshops.
In 1989 an enthusiastic group with various specialties in the areas of conservation of the regional artistic and cultural heritage, gathered together to form a collective under the name 'Sinergie'. Since its inception, under the guidance of program founder director Tonio Creanza, the company has been working on: archeological research, extensive restoration projects on frescoes, architecture, canvas, wood and stone statues and decorative painting, guided tours, educational field school projects, and "study abroad university programs" credited courses in fresco restoration and archeology.
In 1993 'Sinergie' proposed to the municipality of Altamura, a project titled "Eutropia": -to restore and promote an important historical-archeological site Masseria Jesce. The educational volunteer project ran from 1995 to 2009 and hosted over 700 volunteers coming from abroad to help and learn traditional stone wall techniques of restoration. By 2009 70% of the site was restored and is now used by the community for arts and culture events.
Between 2004 and 2008 'Sinergie' in conjunction with Dr. Joan Walker collaborated with James Madison University of Virginia to offer credit programs in the area of fresco restoration and archeology in the Puglia region.
In 2010 the group has established Masseria La Selva an 18th century hunting lodge as the location to lodge and conduct their workshops.
Testimonials
See what people are saying about our company and workshops here.
Press
Visit our new press page here.
See what people are saying about our company and workshops here.
Press
Visit our new press page here.
Born and raised in Altamura (Puglia Italy). After receiving his diploma in Restoration and Conservation in Cultural Heritage, in 1989 he founded the restoration company "Sinergie" and has over 20 years of experience in the fields or art restoration and archeology.
Some his/ "Sinergie" more extensive and exceptional restoration projects have included:
- Decorative restoration of "Palazzo Margherita"- Francis Ford Coppola's boutique Hotel-Bernalda Italy
- Restoration of 16th century carved stone Alter, 13-16th century decorative carvings of Abbey Santa Maria Di Pulsano- Mount Gargano
- Restoration of the Maiolica ceramic floor tiles of the Papal Salon of the Sacred Convent of Saint Francis in Assisi.
- Numerous wood and stone statues, frescoes, paintings from churches and private collections. Decorative and architectural restoration of private historical buildings.
Born in Corato and raised in Bari and has been living in Altamura since 1997. She began her a career as a Primary school teacher and later attained her Doctorate of Archeology with a specialization in 'Cultural Heritage'. Teresanna became a partner in 'Sinergie' in 1997 and developed educational programs for regional schools and educational tourism. She continues in the field of art and architectural restoration as a full-time associate partner of 'Sinergie' and also acts as the restoration projects planner and oversees the labs.
Because of Teresanna's passion for Culinary history, she can sometimes be found in the kitchen at La Selva cooking some of her personal Puglian recipes.
Born and raised in Altamura, has his Doctorate in Agronomy and is one of the co-founders of 'Sinergie'. He has a vast knowledge of the Pugliese territory from his contributions ranging from biology, geology and photography. Very active in Speleology, Giovanni led the group that discovered the Neanderthal fossil skeleton "uomo di Altamura'- "Altamura Man."
