2024 Projects

Volunteer Project
In 2024, we welcomed volunteers from New Zealand, Russia, the Netherlands, the U.S., the UK, Germany, and beyond. Their experiences highlight the impact of this program:

“What my body gained in muscle and stamina, my mind gained in grounding, reconnection to the soil, the trees, and sustenance.” – Will, New Zealand

“It brought me back to myself as I realised how little you need to be happy. I want to stay mindful of the sovurce of my food and connect more with nature.” – Tijo, The Netherlands

Artists in Residence

Georgie Johnson – During her residency, New Zealand’s Georgie Johnson was inspired to create Antechambers, blending figurative abstraction, literature, and poetry to capture Potentino’s essence. She shared, “It is a privilege to be a small part of the Potentino project. It is an experience shaped by all who engage with it and, in turn, shapes you.”

Lucas Gutierrez – Lucas transformed the vineyards into an artistic canvas with Denizens, the world’s first multimedia installation that translates the frequencies of Potentino’s vines into visual art. See for yourself.

Susan Barbour – Conducted a two-week “smell report” to capture Potentino’s unique biodiversity, contributing to an illustrated olfactory field guide. Here is the story so far.

Potentino Press Publication

Antechambers by Georgie Johnson – a photographic documentation and celebration of works created during Georgie’s residency at the Castello di Potentino.

Taxon Project Student Studies

Noortje Looijenga’s Study – Conducted a comparative study on insect pollinators, providing crucial insights for conservation efforts. Hear her findings for yourself here.

Rose Ommering’s Self-Guided Walk Experience – Created an interactive app exploration of Potentino Valley’s diverse flora and fauna. See the developed app here.

Leen Jammalieh – Leen recently presented the results of her Pollinators of Potentino Valley project at a scientific conference in the Netherlands. She continues to look into the resilience of the Potentino ecosystem and its services, and how these may change in the future.

Biodiversity Research
Ex-volunteer now Oxford student Phoebe Reid, investigated the role of biodiversity in controlling the olive fruit fly pest, reinforcing the value of rewilding for pest control, pollination, and natural beauty.

On the Walls 2024
The fourth edition of Potentino’s documentary festival featured eight compelling documentaries on topics such as otherness, environmental advocacy, and inspiring women. The festival also premiered Lucas Gutierrez’s Denizens project, a visual spectacle projected across Potentino’s vines.

FOP Funded Mini-Doc Series
A series of mini-documentaries on Friends of Potentino by Dean and Ewgeniya Lyras highlighting the projects, people and activities at the castle.

Other Highlights

Potentino Exploration Project (PXP) – Led by Dr. Greg Warden, archaeology students continued their research into Potentino’s cultural treasures. Find out more about this ongoing partnership.

MIIAM Program – Masters in International Arts Management students spent a week at Potentino, exploring rural arts development within an ancient Etruscan site. Their Potentino case studies were presented to Charlotte and the week turned out to be incredibly mutually beneficial.

Morellino Classica Festival – Hosted a captivating concert by Turkish musician Hatice Doğan Sevinç under the loggia playing the Cemencheh.

Fundraising Success – Our FOP online auction raised $12,145 in smaller donations, essential for diversifying FOP’s funding sources.