Travel to Naples and Southern Italy without leaving your home! In preparation for next summer’s special exhibition, The Painters of Pompeii: Roman Frescoes from the National Archaeological Museum, Naples, OKCMOA is offering a series of expert-led conversations for all ages that will explore topics ranging from Southern Italian food and wine to daily life in Pompeii to Ancient Roman deities and mythology.
Classes are filling quickly and recommend reserving your spot as soon as possible.
Destination Naples and Pompeii
In this three-part series, Danielle Oteri, art historian, lecturer and co-founder of Feast on History, and her partner Christian Galliani, sommelier and Italian wine expert, will take you on a virtual visit to Naples and Southern Italy to explore the history, culture, food, and wine. Great for the armchair traveler or those planning a future visit to Italy.
Class One—Introduction to Naples
Wednesday, January 13, 2021 | 7-8:30 pm
Zoom
Welcome to Naples! Your virtual tour will begin with a discussion of the multi-layered history of Naples, where we can still see evidence of its Greek foundations, the Ancient Roman city, and buildings from the eras of Norman and Spanish rule. You will visit many of the major monuments of the city, among them the Archaeological Museum, originally a warehouse for findings from the Bourbon Dynasty excavators of the city of Pompeii in the 1700s. Danielle Oteri will also offer travel tips for navigating Naples and planning a future visit. $40 non-members; $30 members.
Class Two—Life in the Ancient Roman City of Pompeii
Wednesday, January 20, 2021 | 7-8:30 pm
Zoom
This session will explore the sights, sounds, and smells of daily life in Pompeii. You will virtually walk down the city streets and tour the houses, public buildings, bakeries, tavernas, and bathhouses. You will also see how the Pompeiians lived and worked, what they ate and drank, and how they entertained themselves. We will also place some of the objects from the exhibition in their context and see what they reveal about life in the city. $40 non-members; $30 members.
Class Three—The Food and Wine of Pompeii and Southern Italy
Wednesday, January 27, 2021 | 7-8:30 pm
Zoom
What did the people of Pompeii eat and drink and what can the remains of food and wine found in excavations in the city and around the Bay of Naples reveal about ancient Roman culture and when Vesuvius actually erupted? Danielle Oteri will offer a brief overview of the food and wine of Pompeii. Afterward, Christian Galliani, sommelier and Italian wine expert, will discuss the wines of the Campania region, where Naples and Pompeii are located, which are some of the overlooked yet standout wines produced in Italy. $40 non-members; $30 members.
Deep-Dive Classes
The Archaeological Museum of Naples
Sunday, February 7, 2021 | 1-2:30 pm
Zoom
The Archaeological Museum of Naples was founded in the 18th century by the Bourbon king Ferdinand IV to house his collection of ancient statuary. Over time, it also became the home of the vast findings of sculpture, painting, and mosaic from excavations of the lost towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Now the museum has one of the largest and richest archaeological collections in the world and is a must-see for understanding the ancient history of the area around the Bay of Naples. Your guide on this visit to the museum will be Fiorella Squillante, a spet in Neapolitan art history and culture and local guide in the city. She will introduce you to the collections and give an in-depth look at ancient Roman society and some of the most spectacular archeological finds in the world. $40 non-members; $30 members.
Secrets of Sicilian Arancini Balls
Sunday, February 14, 2021 | 1-2:30 pm
Zoom
Meet one of Southern Italy’s most revered street foods, the arancina or rice ball. The Arabs introduced or reintroduced rice to Sicily in the 10th century and arancini (rice balls) are one of many Southern Italian foods inspired by Arab agriculture and cuisine. While they are Sicilian in origin, they have become popular throughout Southern Italy and no Neapolitan pizzeria would consider not offering these delectable deep-fried balls of rice and cheese on their menu. In this hands-on conversation, you will learn how to prepare this delicious snack. Led by food historian, sommelier, and home cook Gina Tringali, this interactive lesson will have you making arancini like an expert. $40 non-members; $30 members.
Roman Deities & Mythology
Sunday, January 24, 2021 | 1-2 pm
Zoom
In the Roman Empire, people recognized and worshiped multiple gods and goddesses. Ancient Romans believed these deities served a role in the founding of Roman civilization and helped shape the events of people’s lives on a daily basis. In this conversation, Jade Bajeot, an archeologist based in Rome, will explore the lives and adventures of the Roman gods and goddesses, many of whom are well known today—Apollo, Hercules, and Venus. You will travel to several of the elaborate temples built in their honor all over the Roman Empire and have plenty of time for questions. $45 non-members; $35 members.
Digging and Discoveries: Meet an Archeologist
Sunday, January 31, 2021 | 1-2 pm
(this event has been rescheduled from its original 1/10 date)
Zoom
What does it mean to be an archeologist? What do they do? Where do they work?
Join this conversation with Dr. Dimosthenis Kosmopoulos, an archeologist based in Rome, who has excavated in the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill, and the Mausoleum of Augustus. Dr. Kosmopoulos frequently gives tours for families visiting Rome and during this conversation, he will speak about his experience, some of his exciting discoveries, reveal the tools he can’t live without, and discuss what you might want to start studying if you want to become an archeologist as well as answer your questions. $45 non-members; $35 members.
Deep dive classes are offered through a partnership between OKCMOA and Context Travel, a company offering small-group immersive cultural and historical tours, and online seminars and courses led by Ph.D. and MA-level scholars.
