“Treasures of inestimable value are being exhibited outside of Italy for the first time.”  Mosaics, statues, jewelry, a fresco, and ceramics are among the 120 Etrusco-Greco-Roman art masterpieces recovered by Guardia di Finanza, Italy’s Art Recovery Team, from unscrupulous art traffickers.

In this boutique exhibit exquisitely installed on a top floor of Wilmington’s historic Grand Opera House, visitors will discover true stories documenting the recovery of numerous ancient artifacts.

In the last 100 years, Italy’s A.R.T. has recovered almost one million stolen Italian artifacts from all over the world.  The tales of recovery are more captivating than fiction.

Italian curator Emiliano Guerra, assisted by University of Delaware graduate and polyglot Alexandra Thomas, has overseen a fascinating and informative installation equipped with computer monitors which reveal the recovery missions of several pieces.

The exhibit, under the auspices of Guardia di Finanza, Nucleo Polizio Tributaria Roma, and Gruppo Tutela Patrimonio Archeologico, extends to December 21, 2014.

The Grand Opera House is located at 818 North Market Street in the culturally-rich section of Wilmington, merely a block-and-a-half walk from the handsome Hotel DuPont and its legendary dining rooms and inimitable menus.

For ticket prices, additional information, and exhibition hours, contact International Council of Delaware Director John Pastor, jpastor@icdelaware.org, or call 800.37.GRAND.

On December 19, Latin students from the Philadelphia Main Line and Metropolitan Philadelphia are invited to participate in the annual Classical World Fashion and Design Show to be held at Bryn Mawr College in the Thomas Great Hall.

Under the protective gaze of the Pheidias-based 1906 statue of Athena Lemnia, for this special occasion, students will “costume” themselves or present jewelry or armor loosely based on an ancient artifact, relief, coin, or frieze in order to blend material culture with philology.

The fashion and design show, sponsored by the Philadelphia Classical Society, is dedicated in memoriam to Professor Norma Goldman of Wayne State University who championed the production of various ancient costumes as a way to understand an important aspect of ancient Roman life.

All proceeds from the fashion and design show will benefit a scholarship award for a 2015 graduate of Boys Latin in Philadelphia in honor of Dr. Rudolph Masciantonio who was in the vanguard of introducing Classical Latin to non-traditional students in the Philadelphia School District in the 1970’s.

Bryn Mawr’s Thomas Great Hall will be festooned for the Saturnalia and the December 19^th Opalia as backdrop to the convivium and processional of students in costume, transported to the ancient festival atmosphere.

For information, or to register, contact PCS President Mary Brown, mbrown@vfmac.edu

On Saturday, November 22, The Philadelphia Classical Society will sponsor the 2014 Fall Professional Day to be held at The Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.  Doors open at 9 am, with refreshments provided by Whole Foods of Wynnewood.

Initial activities include:  Libri Nullo Pretio Classici (Book Give-Away from individual teachers); an information table presenting Eta Sigma Phi’s Zeta Beta Chapter of Temple University; and a book-signing by Christine Meyer, author of Latin Synonyms for Language Lovers, issued by Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers.

At 9:45 am, the PCS Business Meeting will consist of: Treasury Report; Update on the Rudy Masciantonio Scholarship Award to a senior at Boys Latin & the Norma Goldman Classical World Fashion & Design Show; PCS February Contest Dates and Announcements; Introduction of Valentina DeNardis, the new PCS webmaster; and Expression of thanks to Ed Sacks for manning the website for so many years.

The schedule of the day follows:

10 am    Power and Perception: Classical Reception in the American Revolution, Carlos Cardozo, Saint Joseph’s University, Class of 2015

10:20 am    The Influence of Roman Law in the Americas, Kristian Zannis, Saint Joseph’s University, Class of 2015

10:40 am    Polysemy to Advantage: Using Visual Thinking Strategies to Re-View Ara Pacis Augustae, Mary Brown, Valley Forge Military Academy

11 am    Refreshments & Coffee Break

11:20 am    An Introduction to the American Classical League’s Excellence Through Classics Committee, Krystal Kubichek, Vice-Chair of ETC

11:40 am    Applications for Latin Synonyms For Language Lovers: A Select Thesaurus, Christine Meyer (Author), Downingtown West High School

12 Noon    Tactility and Technology in the Latin Classroom, Traci Dougherty, Souderton High School

12:30 pm     Lunch Catered by The Black Cat Café, Devon

1 pm    Travels Through Greco-Roman Antiquity: Exploring Layers of the Past in a Digital Humanities Project, Valentina DeNardis, Villanova University

At 2:00 pm, the PCS Fall Professional Day will conclude with announcements and the distribution of the rules and handbook of the PCS Contest Week, February 16-21.

For Information, contact Mary Brown, mbrown@vfmac.edu

Nota Bene: Registration forms are available at The Philadelphia Classical Society website [philadelphiaclassicalsociety.org].