School
International School of Illustration
For over thirty-five years, the International School of Illustration in Sarmede has been training illustrators in the field of publishing. Founded by master Štěpán Zavřel in 1988, the School was established among the stones and gardens of his famous atelier house. It was conceived as a space for dialogue and collaboration.
It is, in fact, the first educational institution dedicated to illustration in Italy. At the heart of Štěpán Zavřel’s (Prague, 1932 – Sarmede, 1999) vision was a desire to convey the value of illustrated books and the artistic discipline of illustration to younger generations. As his friend Emanuele Luzzati described him, Štěpán Zavřel was ‘the Pygmalion who transformed many uncertain young people into professionals.’ Between the 1980s and 1990s, his atelier house trained illustrators who would later become influential figures in the world of editorial illustration.
The educational offer
Following the path set by the Maestro, the School has continually expanded and updated its training programs through a constant and fruitful exchange with illustrators, educators, cultural workers, and professionals from the publishing world. The training offerings cater to both beginners seeking an introduction to illustration and those wishing to deepen their skills through advanced courses.
The curriculum covers a variety of techniques, design concepts, the relationship between text and image, space and architecture composition, the creative process, and strategies specific to the craft of illustration. Classes are available both in-person, year-round, and through live streaming for distance learning from September to June. The educational program is curated by Silvia Paccassoni.
