Our guiding principles
Who We Are: Casa d’Arte is a community gallery in Abruzzo where art is used as a bridge, connecting two global communities—the US and Italy.
Who We Serve: We serve artists in America by showcasing their works in Abruzzo, Italy using specific themes throughout the year.
The Community We Serve in Italy: We serve the senior population who are excited about making connections with art and artists to enhance the cultural, social and economic well-being of their community.
How We Sustain Casa d' Arte: We conduct tours, medieval village excursions and a cultural immersion program that focuses on servant leadership.
Casa d' Arte Host Village
Civitaluparella: An Open-Air Museum
Perched at 2,952 feet above sea level, Civitaluparella is a medieval town rich in history and tradition. Travelers will have the opportunity to connect with locals, explore the town, create, and unwind at Casa d’Arte, a haven for relaxation, creativity, and inspiration.
Home to a unique museum featuring antiques and archaeological artifacts—the only one of its kind in the region—it offers visitors a rare glimpse into the past.
Casa d’Arte is located in the historic center that clings to the mountainside. It presents a breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding range, making it an ideal destination for lovers of nature and tranquility. For artists and art enthusiasts, Civitaluparella is a magical place where time seems to stand still.
REASONS FOR ARTISTS AND ART LOVERS TO MAKE THEIR MARK HERE
LEARN & EXPLORE
Europe's greenest region
- Mountain villages welcome you with warmth, tradition, and breathtaking views. There are castles, archeological sites, lakes, rivers, and the Adriatic Sea with Trabocchi along the coast.
- Savor farm-to-table meals in family-run cafés and restaurants. This is where the land (la terra) lives in harmony with the table (la tavola). This is a region with organic wheat, olives, grapes, and truffles in abundance.
- Become immersed in an authentic and simple Italian way of life to gain a better understanding of the strong, yet kind nature of the people.
- Move around calmly with nonnos and nonnas who have lived for decades with stories, and still embody the spirit of joy and generosity.
cultural ambassadors in italy
Anthony Bologna
Petulia Blake, Ph.D.
Petulia Blake, Ph.D.
Lead Curator & Tour Manager
Connecting individuals with local communities in Italy to foster authentic, grounded experiences.
- I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York to parents from Sicily. I spent 21 years working with the U.S. Postal Service as an Operations Manager. There, I enjoyed leading, training, coaching and developing my team. Having been deeply committed to my career, I began my global travels later in life and soon wished I had started much earlier. With a passion for my ancestral homeland—and as a lover of coffee, wine, olives, and the rich history of this ancient land and culture—I chose to fully immerse myself in the region, with the intention of creating meaningful and memorable experiences for others.
Petulia Blake, Ph.D.
Petulia Blake, Ph.D.
Petulia Blake, Ph.D.
Founder & Executive Director
Guiding creative, academic, and family groups to experience Abruzzo through the lens of discovery and learning.
- For over 14 years, I taught in business programs, where I always encouraged my adult students to travel, explore, and embrace new perspectives as pathways to learning, growth, and innovation. From an early age, I developed a passion for cross-cultural engagement, which later took me across the globe to teach, coach, present at conferences, and authentically immerse myself in new cultures. Since 2002, much of my creative work—such as my book My Happy Escape—has been inspired by my experiences in Italy, where I have contributed to projects in Palermo and beyond. In 2014, I filmed and directed the documentary Saving Poggioreale: A Sicilian Story – Final Version. I have always been passionate about engaging in creative and educational collaboration across borders.