A Classical Education in
Florence & London
Our Workshops
Hands-on historical seminars and learning experiences that trace ideas from Antiquity through Renaissance Florence and into the present day, with a focus on the Classical Tradition.
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Explore Latin, Classics, History, Art, Philosophy, and Italian Culture while producing manuscripts, watercolours, or classical-themed cards. Designed by our director, Florence Forte, and delivered in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of subject specialists and partner institutions in London and Florence, our workshops blend scholarly rigour with creative, hands-on learning experiences.
How to book: Private group bookings can be arranged for a minimum of 10 participants by email. Please provide your preferred class size, date, workshop, and, if relevant, your theme choice for card-making: info@forte-academy.co.uk. ​​​
Core Workshops
Latin Manuscript-Making
​​​​​​​​This workshop introduces students to world of Latin manuscripts: the handwritten texts which preserve works from Antiquity to the Renaissance.
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It combines an introduction to the Latin language with basic palaeographical skills, enabling participants to recognise, read, and begin to transcribe historical scripts. The workshop also includes a historical overview of the afterlives of specific texts, highlighting real examples of the role Florentines played in the rediscovery and transmission of ancient works. Through practical activities, students engage with both the linguistic and artistic dimensions of the tradition, producing a manuscript page to take home. No prior knowledge of Latin is required; all materials and light refreshments are provided. ​
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Duration: 3 hours
Private group bookings: £75 per person​​​​​
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Next availability: June-July 2026 | Join the Waitlist
For enquiries and to arrange a booking, contact info@forte-academy.co.uk
Renaissance Florence Watercolours
​​​This workshop explores how Florence has been represented in art from Antiquity to the Renaissance, highlighting key symbols, stories, local artists, motifs such as the fleur-de-lys, and the contributions of women artists.
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Students explore the historical and cultural context of Florence’s representations, from ancient inscriptions to Renaissance paintings, and consider how the city’s identity has been visualised over time. Drawing on this foundation, they take inspiration from their surroundings – streets, gardens, architectural details, or classroom prompts – to create their own watercolours, experimenting with colour, composition, and form. No prior experience is required; all materials and light refreshments are provided.
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Duration: 2 hours
Private group bookings: £50 per person​​​​​
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Next availability: June-July 2026 | Join the Waitlist
For enquiries and to arrange a booking, contact info@forte-academy.co.uk
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Classical Card-Making
This workshop explores a central theme from Antiquity to the Renaissance through carefully selected textual and visual sources.
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This workshop begins with an interactive seminar or series of short talks exploring a key theme from Antiquity to the Renaissance – such as "Love", "Spring", "Florence", "Stoicism", or "Ancient Amulets" – through a range of texts and images, with a focus on the classical tradition. Participants then bring the theme to life by creating a bespoke greetings card inspired by their own interpretation. No prior experience is required; all materials and light refreshments are provided.
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Duration: 1.5 hours
Private group bookings: £30 per person​​​​​
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Next availability: June-July 2026 | Join the Waitlist
For enquiries and to arrange a booking, contact info@forte-academy.co.uk
Previous Workshops
Valentine's Latin Love Lesson ​​
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Is Latin your love language? Find out in our unique Latin Valentine's class for Beginners exploring the theme of "Love" over the centuries. Learn some essential love-related Latin vocabulary and how to translate a basic sentence, followed by a deep dive into the dramatic world of Latin Love Elegy through the ancient poets Catullus & Ovid. Using their new-found skills, students pick their favourite quotes and images to make their own Latin-inspired greetings card.
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Last held: 12 February 2025
Venue: The Monnalisa School, Florence
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Watch the video of this workshop on our Instagram | Join the Waitlist
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Next availability: February 2027
For enquiries and to arrange a booking, contact info@forte-academy.co.uk
Celebrating Spring: From Ancient Rome to Renaissance Florence​​
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A special, seasonal workshop exploring the theme of "Spring" throughout history and resulting in a bespoke greetings card to take home. Learn the Latin terms that brought the season to life for the Romans and how the language of spring has evolved. Explore how spring was perceived in mythology and dive into some ancient stories and Renaissance artwork that celebrated the rebirth of nature and the arrival of this new season.
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Last held: 4 April 2025
Venue: The Medici Archive Project, Florence
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Watch the video of this workshop on our Instagram | Join the Waitlist
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Next availability: April 2026
For enquiries and to arrange a booking, contact info@forte-academy.co.uk
The Epistolary Renaissance: Women Latinists and the Republic of Letters ​​​
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This academic workshop aimed to examine the Latin literary contributions of women in late medieval and early modern Europe, with a focus on the genre of letter-writing. The quantity of evidence for letters written by women in both Latin and the vernacular between 1300-1700 constitutes what could be called an “Epistolary Renaissance”. Building upon scholarship that has investigated many of these women in isolation, or in relation to each other, this workshop connected them also to their male peers and the larger networks within which they operated. ​Read our review of this workshop.
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Held: 20 September 2024
Hosted by: The Medici Archive Project, Florence
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Watch the video of this workshop on our Instagram
To enquire about academic event planning, contact info@forte-academy.co.uk
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