In the heart of Tuscany, the medieval city of Siena is a bridge between tradition and innovation, connecting its rich history to international artists and students alike. Through a dynamic partnership with the Siena Art Institute, Putney’s Pre-College Tuscany program offers students immersive, site-specific artistic experiences that engage them deeply with the city’s unique cultural landscape.
Miriam Grottanelli, the founder of the Siena Art Institute, believes Siena is the best place in the world to live as an artist. Half British and half Italian, Miriam grew up in Siena, studied in Cambridge, and, after living abroad, eventually returned to Siena, founding the Siena School for Liberal Arts in 2004 and then the Siena Art Institute in 2010 as a way to build community and also tap into broader artistic trends.
“I was born and raised here. I think it’s the most beautiful city in Italy. I wanted to do something significant when I came back to allow others to have significant experiences in this place,” she said.
While working with the first humanities school she founded, Grottanelli learned that it was most important to provide space for art courses.
“I like to do things on my own,” she explained. “I decided the best way to give more space would be to set up a school specialized in art. The rest is 15 years of history.”
Her commitment to building community and connecting art with the margins of local society creates meaningful experiences for visiting students. Students from around the globe come for art residencies at the institute, and in the summer, Putney students get the same special access and treatment.
“Basically, one of the objectives is to be a resource for the local community, and for the art community,” Miriam said. “We engage in projects that allow us to work closely with the local community. We work with the elderly, teenagers, and people with disabilities.”
She went on to explain that another primary objective of the institute is to engage in international endeavors, including the large numbers of students who come to Siena to study art.
“We try to be a resource for the international arts community, so artists can better understand the place they are coming to. So they can direct their creative practices while they’re here to build a stronger relationship with the local community. Create more bridges, create more connections.”
Lisa Nonken with Pre-College Tuscany students
As the institute was founded, Miriam called on a colleague from the early days of the Siena School for Liberal Arts, Lisa Nonken. Lisa is the Academic director of Siena Art Institute, and has been involved since its inception.
“I was at the last minute filling in for a semester,” she laughed, “but it’s turned into 15 years. As an artist, I find Siena to be a dynamic community of people. It’s a very inspiring place to be.”
Lisa credits the high educational value of art classes at the institute to the space where it all takes place: the city of Siena in its breadth, something that her co-teacher, fellow artist, and colleague Irene Lupi also holds as a top priority, when planning their curriculum. For the past several years, both Lisa and Irene have taught the Drawing & Sketching seminar on Putney’s Pre-College Tuscany program.
“There are so many interesting vantage points to see the city center, the spaces, and people moving through them,” Lisa continued. “We also like to go into museums, which are absolutely chockablock with different sources of inspiration—art, churches, and university courtyards.”
She continued to explain how drawing allows students to take a pause and really be present. It’s a way to feel grounded in their new surroundings.
The institute’s site-specific approach enables students to fully utilize Siena’s cityscape, which makes it both the subject and the inspiration. Drawing classes often take place in iconic outdoor settings, which is what fosters that connection between the students and the centuries-old city.
“There’s an ‘embarrassment of choice,’ as we say in Italian,” Miriam laughed. “This Italian phrase refers to a situation when there are an abundance of good options to choose from.”
Lisa said, thinking of prospective drawing students for the 2025 Putney program, that they should start to incorporate drawing into their daily routines. Even if it’s in a small way, it would benefit drawing students greatly, to start getting used to the habit of drawing.
“Carrying a sketchbook becomes part of your daily life,” she said. “It’s not something daunting, but rather a way to engage with the world around you.”
Through Putney’s collaboration with the Siena Art Institute, Pre-College Tuscany students are able to hone their skills through a blend of art, history, and community engagement. Whether sketching in a busy piazza, or spending the hottest part of the day in one of the many museums in town, students form a deep connection to Siena, and have the opportunity to be inspired by its vibrant artistic heritage. The program culminates in a presentation of student works, with an open invitation to the Siena community.
As Miriam, Lisa, Irene and the faculty at large at the Siena Art Institute continue to foster connection and artistic instruction, one thing is clear: Siena is not just an incredible summer destination—it’s a haven for students who want to grow as an artist, and a well-rounded person.
Click here to learn more about our Pre-College Tuscany program in Siena.
