The University of Arkansas Rome Center is hosting the first International Women in Arts Conference this week at their facility in Rome.

The AIWAC conference is devoted to women's studies in the arts, including visual art, architecture, literature and illumination. "Our intent is to use the enormous potential of virtual communication to reach scholars and ordinary people about women artists from the Middle Ages to the 20th century," said Francesco Bedeschi, Rome Center director.

Professor Consuelo Lollobrigida, Ph.D., faculty of art and architecture history at the Rome Center, coordinated the conference with assistance from student interns and partner organizations. The three-day event features speakers and presentations from scholars and artists all over the world.

Opening remarks by Curt Rom, associate dean of international education, reflected the Rome Center staff's excitement at hosting what they hope will be an event of significant historical and artistic education. "This innovative and collaborative event brings together brilliant artists, historians and scholars in the arts to celebrate women's studies with a broad range of participants from the U.S., Italy and many other countries," Rom said. "We are thrilled at the high level of participation in our first year and are expecting the event to grow in prominence and size in the future. The Rome Center staff have provided the perfect setting for such an event."

Virtual portions of the conference are available on the U of A Rome Center YouTube channel after a free registration. The conference is sponsored by a host of international partners, including the Association of American College and University Programs in Italy (AACUPI), American Academy in Rome, the European Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (EIIS), the Fondazione Marisa Bellisario and other Italian organizations.

The Rome Center, part of the U of A Graduate School and International Education, serves as a European hub for University of Arkansas students. This spring, it is home to nearly 70 U of A students from academic departments studying architecture, interior design, global studies and nursing.

Day 1 presentations, Wednesday, Oct. 20

Day 2 presentations, Thursday, Oct. 21

Day 3 presentations, Friday, Oct. 22