This spectacular two week program offers the opportunity to live and create in Florence, Italy, a cultural capital of Europe. As the home of the Italian Renaissance and the birthplace of the modern world, Florentines championed democracy, science, literature as well as painting, sculpture, and architecture. The Tuscan countryside offers rolling landscapes, pastoral farms, vineyards, and medieval towns clinging to the hills.
Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA) will be our home base. It is a premier facility for image-making, featuring four intaglio presses, 2 exposure units, a dedicated printmaking darkroom, lockers, flat files, and an Apple computer with 13-inch printer. Participants will have access to all of this and more during this immersive hands-on experience. Located in the heart of Florence, SRISA is just steps from the Duomo, Uffizi, Accademia, Mercato Centrale, Santa Croce, and countless restaurants.
For the 2026 program we are very excited to introduce a new chapter to this ever-evolving workshop experience with Ron Pokrasso and long-time collaborator, Devin Kovach, together delivering a dynamic new blend of innovative techniques along with the assistance of Tamara Ronci, the SRISA studio manager.
Devin Kovach is an artist and printmaker based in Rome, Italy. He currently heads the printmaking program at Temple University Rome and is also faculty at the Rome University of
Fine Art, where he teaches courses in experimental print practice.
Kovach has collaborated with Pokrasso for over 15 years, and has contributed to the Florence workshop numerous times as assistant instructor. He’s excited to share his 10 years of teaching and art-making experience in contemporary and experimental Italian printmaking with the 2026 group.
Together Devin and Ron will cover the basics while also introducing a new vision of printmaking in an ever-expanding field. You can check out Devin’s work at his website www.devinkovach.it
COURSE OFFERING
The workshop focuses on mixed media printmaking: Monotype, Collage, ImageOn, Solarplate, Silkscreen, and Cyanotype.
Monotype and photopolymer intaglio form the core of the workshop, while Kovach brings a fresh look at how monotype can be expanded through experimental techniques such as silkscreen printing.
Using Akua non-toxic water-based inks, participants of all levels will learn monotype through various methods of mixing, modifying, layering inks, using and abusing mark-making tools, and exploring the limits of paper. Instruction includes a wide range of uses for chine collé, collage, and drawing. ImageOn, Solarplate, and Silkscreen will be taught, both as means in themselves and integrated with other techniques. Photoshop will be introduced to help artists learn the basics of photo digital imaging and how to apply it to ImageOn, Solarplate, Silkscreen and collage. Multi-plate printing methods will open the door to endless possibilities.
The emphasis is on the “Artist as an Inventor,” and each participant is encouraged to stretch their methods of expression, breaking barriers into new and uncharted territory. The information presented is cumulative, and participants will have the opportunity to revisit works developed over the course of two weeks. The workshop will culminate with an informal appreciation and discussion to serve as closure and celebration on the final day of class. If you have any questions regarding this course please send them to us through Ron at pokrasso@gmail.com. You should also have a look at the website, www.ronpokrasso.com.
THE PROGRAM
The program includes 10 days of instruction beginning May 4 and ending May 17 with a minimum of 60 contact hours, the use of the studios from 9AM to 10PM throughout the program, various tools and equipment, (including presses and exposure units), and most printmaking materials such as Akua inks and modifiers as well as ImageOn film. Participants traveling from the U.S. should plan on supplying their own Solarplates (Additional Solarplates will be available for purchase on-site). Students will also be encouraged to bring some of their own paper, however, decent papers can be purchased locally as well during the workshop. Participants will have access to wifi.
The schedule is as follows: 4 days of instruction, 2 days off, 3 days of instruction, 2 days off, 3 days of instruction. Participants can work in the open studio on the off days or take the time to explore the City and Region. The program includes a festive welcome dinner, a half-day guided walking tour of Florence, a full day excursion to Lucca, an historical/cultural lecture delivered by SRISA”s faculty and a farewell dinner and celebration.
LUCCA TRIP
Lucca is a charming city close to Pisa, famed for its well-preserved Renaissance walls that surround the city’s historic center. It has cobbled streets, beautiful piazzas and broad tree-lined streets which are ideal for a stroll or a cycle ride. This is also where you will find the Casa di Puccini, the house museum of the great opera composer, who was born here in 1858.
Further information, tour and lecture dates and times will be provided to the participants closer to the start date of the workshop.
TUITION
Tuition for the 2026 program is $2495. It includes 60 hours of instruction, an opening dinner, farewell dinner, the walking tour of Florence and the day long excursion to Lucca. A $500 deposit, refundable until December 31, 2025 (less PayPal fees) is requested to confirm your participation and hold a space in the program.
The tuition balance is due February 1, 2026.
You’ll find registration information, payment instructions and links in the
Signup Form.
HOUSING
Most particpants choose to arrange their own housing. There are scores of vacation rentals all over Florence. For purposes of searching, our SRISA studio is located at Via San Gallo 53R (red).
SRISA also offers housing for students and you can work directly with them to arrange this. These rooms are available to us from May 2 – 18. For more information, go to https://srisa.org/admissions/housing-information/#students-securing. Below is a list of the prices for various room options in SRISA apartments (often shared) during our program:
- $1850 (max 2 people) for use of one bedroom.
- $2000 (max 4 people) for use of two bedrooms.
- $2150 (max 6 people) for use of three bedrooms.
SRISA also has some private apartments for participants wanting more space or for those with specific needs; you can expect costs to increase significantly.
Email housing@SRISA.org to arrange SRISA housing.
TRAVEL
Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from Florence. It is a good idea to make plans to arrive a few days before the beginning of the program to help acclimate to the culture and time difference. Note: SRISA housing options are only available for check-in May 2 and check-out May 18.
We look forward to working with you.
Ron Pokrasso 1417 Galisteo Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 505 577 6296 pokrasso@gmail.com www.ronpokrasso.com
Devin Kovach
Via Pirro Ligorio,23
00139 Roma , Italia
+39 349 305 5531
devach87@gmail.com
www.devinkovach.it