JOHNSON CITY (January 29, 2013) – Don Davis of East Tennessee State University’s Department of Art and Design will, for the seventh year, lead a class to study ceramics at Castello Spannocchia, located in the Tuscan countryside near Siena.

Spannocchia is a self-sustaining agricultural estate dating from the 12th century and now part of a nature preserve and center for international study.

From June 17 through July 2, the class will create artwork from native terracotta in a rustic studio while immersed in Italian art and culture. Time will also be spent swimming in the adjacent pool, hiking ancient trails, wandering medieval hilltop towns and enjoying field trips to Golfo di Barratti Beach, Populonia Etruscan Archaeological Park, Malignano and Siena museums, as well as two days in Florence visiting museums and Brunelleschi’s Dome.

The course fee of $2,500 includes round trip transportation between Spannocchia and the Florence airport; all lodging; meals at the Castello and a farewell dinner in Florence; health insurance; studio rental, materials and instruction; Italian language lessons; kiln rental and wood for firing; and field trips. The fee does not include airfare, ETSU tuition, internet, phone, laundry and a few meals.

Only five spaces remain in the class, which may be taken for three credits or as a non-credit option. A deposit of $250 is due by Feb. 1, with an additional 50 percent to be paid on March 1 with the final installment on April 15.

Scholarships are available through the ETSU Office of International Programs, which can be contacted at (423) 439-7737 or interntl@etsu.edu.

For more information about the class visit www.dondavisceramicart.com and to learn more about Spannoccia, go to www.spannocchia.com/index.cfm.