In May I organised two painting trips to Trapani in Sicily for my students. We really did a lot of work between us, and had a good time exploring some interesting sites ..... as well as feasting on fresh fish and local wines! The cave has been inhabited since Palaeolithic times and in the 1800’s was turned into a small village by the Mangiapani family. Four family units lived there for 150 years until after the Second World War, when most of the inhabitants emigrated. The Di Rosario family continued to live there, using it as a large stable and store. In 1982, destroyed by the animals and quite derelict,a group of young people from Custonaci decided to restore the place and hold an annual Live Crib in the cave. It took years to restore the abandoned buildings and surrounding areas. They sourced examples of traditional tools and wares, and it is now a kind of living museum, with animals in the pens and the rooms displaying various crafts such as the making of barrels, clothes, puppets, carts, and food. The photos above were all (brilliantly) taken by Melanie Geraghty It was all very well done and we had a great time exploring before we settled down to paint. It’s a challenge to draw such a massive cliff and keep the sense of scale and perspective – I’m not sure how well I managed but it was fun trying. My visit with the second group was on a Sunday and we were overrun by about 50 motorbikers obviously on a Tour, and we were all entertained by a group of traditional singers in local costume..... they did kind of disrupt our painting, but they offered to share their wine with us, so we forgave them !! I couldn't help thinking that Malta has so many locations that could take this idea and restore interesting but currently derelict areas. Close to where I live, the old village of Manikata "Razzett tal-Qasam" has been very well restored and preserved by the local farmers (see Koperattiva Rurali Manikata ) but there are many once-inhabited caves in the area that could be used in a similar way to the Sicilian one - even a Living Crib! Just an idea....
2 Comments
2/11/2022 04:59:06 pm
Price conference institution and suffer. Size to series newspaper hundred.
Reply
This blog beautifully captures the charm and inspiration found in the historic La Grotta Mangiapani, showcasing how art and culture intertwine in such unique locations. The experience of painting amidst ancient caves, motorbikers, and traditional singers must have been both challenging and enriching! The idea of restoring derelict sites for cultural and artistic purposes is truly inspiring and could be a wonderful initiative for places like Malta as well. At Penkraft, we encourage creative exploration through our Government Grading Exam Program, which provides structured guidance and certification for aspiring artists. Whether you're painting ancient caves or modern landscapes, this program equips you with the skills and recognition to take your art to the next level!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Jeni Caruana I love to paint - and draw - and help others to discover their creative side too..... Be the first to see my latest work and hear of new classes by adding your email address below. Thank you! Categories
All
Archives
February 2019
|