Since 2005, The Siena School has organized an alternating lecture series open to the public. Based on themes chosen yearly by the School, the talks serve as a forum for discussing and addressing issues that concern both our students as travelers and our staff as educators, teachers, artists and researchers. As they are open to the public, they also serve as a means of community outreach, encouraging members of the local community to become an active participant of the cultural life of the school. Our guest speakers come from universities and cultural institutes worldwide and spanning a wide variety of disciplines. They all share an outstanding background of academic or artistic achievements and a sincere interest in the work and progress of our school.

The first theme explored was that of Identity. Amongst our external speakers were Professor James Beck from Columbia University, Professor Emanuele Gragnolati, University of Oxford, Professor Sergio Parussa, Wellesley College, Professor Tod Marder, Rutgers University and Professor Bernardina Sani, University of Siena.

This year we are continuing our series with a number of talks on the theme of Memory. This theme was chosen as it is a topic close to all of us crossing age, racial and gender divides. Furthermore, it is a subject that is particularly relevant for our students who encounter in Siena a new path of memory in their lives.

The culminating moment for the 2006 series will be a three day seminar November 23-25 dedicated to the Memory of Gesture. Our guests will include Professor Martine Denoyelle, curator at the Musee de Louvre, Steve Shaheen, sculptor from the NY Academy of Arts and Debra Cole, EdD candidate at Columbia University in NY and specialized in teaching foreign languages through sign to deaf students.