BA (Hons) Conservation: Stone, Wood and Decorative Surfaces graduates Fiorella Lavado and Ellie Seaward have recently spent two months on San Giorgio Maggiore, one of the islands of Venice.
Awarded at the end of year Degree Show, Ellie and Fiorella were selected for the annual ‘Venice in Peril Internship’, a two-month, fully-funded internship, living and working at the Abbey of San Giorgio Maggiore. This initiative is supported by Venice in Peril, a fund dedicated to conserving Venice’s architectural heritage and treasures.
Read Fiorella and Ellie’s accounts of their time in Venice below.
Fiorella’s experience:
“Many people have asked me, ‘So, how was Venice?’ My answer is always the same: the 10-week project at the Abbazia San Giorgio Maggiore was one of the best experiences of my life. Since returning to London, I find myself revisiting my time living in the monastery, sharing the rhythm of monastic life, surrounded by so much beauty: the lagoon, Venice, and its art and architecture. It was really magical.
The first days apart from my family were not easy, but the community at San Giorgio was so welcoming that I very quickly felt at home. I found myself immersed in a new lifestyle, learning Italian, learning to embrace solitude while focusing on refining my conservation skills and organising the work to accomplish my set goals for the treatment.
One of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the project was learning to assemble the mobile scaffolding and taking charge of all the work at height. In my previous conservation experience, I had mostly worked in a studio with smaller objects, but this time, the scale was completely different. The Altar of the Madonna and Child, with its sculpture by Girolamo Campagna, the crowns and the architectural details like the capitals, required detailed planning and an approach that pushed me both technically and physically.
Climbing the scaffolding daily, crafting and handling telescopic tools, and manoeuvring around the complex structure made me realise how different conservation can be when applied to architecture—not only in terms of treatment but also in documentation. It required a careful balance. I often had to stop, step far back, and look at the whole to appreciate the progress and ensure a cohesive appearance.
Beyond the work, life at San Giorgio was wonderful. The resident monks, Don Norberto and Don Paolo, were incredibly generous and kind, opening their home to us. There is a strong sense of community among the residents, starting with them and extending to the lovely people working there, like Paula and Mario, as well as the volunteers, friends, and visitors—it truly feels like a big family. I am especially thankful to Carmelo and Irene, who offered their constant support throughout the project. And of course, starting my day by brushing Leo the cat, followed by Fiorello’s amazing meals, was one of the highlights of my day!
The support of Venice in Peril was also invaluable. Their efforts, visits, and invitations to their events and other conservation studios helped me put our work into context. It made me feel like I was part of a larger mission to preserve this historic city.
While much of my time was spent working, I was also able to fully participate in Venice’s local community. I joined a yoga class that really helped to ground me and provide a sense of routine and balance outside of work. I was fortunate to make friends, which made my time in the city even more special. I even spoke mostly Italian with them, which I had only picked up while living in Venice.
We also had the opportunity to present the project to the second year City & Guilds of London Art School Conservation and Carving students. It was an exciting moment to share our experience and present our work, which allowed me to reflect and appreciate all that I had learned in a relatively short time.
Looking back, this experience was transformative, not only for my technical skills but also on a personal level. I will never forget my time in this beautiful city. I am grateful that I had the chance to take part in this opportunity at San Giorgio, and I will always treasure the lessons I brought with me.” Fiorella Lavado
Ellie’s experience:
“The internship in Venice was my first experience of living and working abroad. Although it felt a bit daunting at first, I found it to be an incredibly useful and valuable life experience. Everyone at San Giorgio was very welcoming, accommodating, and helpful. The meals in the refectory were a special and unique experience, where I tried to pick up Italian phrases and learned about Venetian culture. I particularly enjoyed attending visits and lectures hosted by Venice in Peril, through which I gained a deeper understanding of the history and art of Venice. I also enjoyed giving talks hosted by Venice in Peril, which further helped me develop my public speaking skills. Overall, I felt that the experience helped me become more independent and pushed me out of my comfort zone as I navigated learning a new language and gained my first conservation work experience in a unique and unfamiliar environment. Moving from the busy pace of life in London to living on an island surrounded by water was a distinctive and special experience, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
The work involved conducting a detailed condition assessment and performing conservation dusting to remove the significant amount of accumulated surface dust. Cleaning and assessing such a large monument was an invaluable experience, one that naturally felt very different from treating smaller objects. I am incredibly grateful to have been selected for this internship and would like to thank Venice in Peril, City & Guilds of London Art School and everyone at Abbazia di San Giorgio Maggiore – Benedicti Claustra Onlus.” Ellie Seaward
Words and Images credit: Fiorella Lavado and Ellie Seaward