Made possible through the generous underwriting of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Columbus Citizens Foundation and sustained by their unwavering commitment to advancing the Foundation’s mission, the “Legenda Major” Artistic-Painting Training Course brought Italian cultural education to life from July 7 through July 17, 2026. Designed for selected scholarship recipients, the program offered an immersive introduction to one of Italy’s most enduring artistic traditions: fresco painting.
Led by Italian art master Claudia Nodari of Studio ATMOSPHERE, with Alessandro Tortelli and a supporting artistic team from Brescia and Matera, the course connected technical instruction with the legacy of Giotto and the fresco tradition associated with the life of St. Francis. Participants explored the historical, artistic, and cultural significance of fresco while learning how this ancient medium helped shape the visual language of Italian art.
