La Dolce Vita

by Nicole Findlay

Like her peers, Camille Girard-Ruel will spend the summer working, but instead of making a pit stop at the local Tim Horton’s for her morning coffee, she’ll savour an espresso in the city of its origin.

Girard-Ruel, an MA student in Canadian Studies’ Heritage Conservation Programme, has won a coveted internship with the International Centre for the Study of Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) in Rome. Reporting to UNESCO, ICCROM has an international mandate to promote the conservation of cultural heritage.

This summer, Girard-Ruel will participate in ICCROM’s Community and Conservation program. She will be responsible for the development of a public awareness section, hosted on ICCROM’s website, targeted to lay audiences.

“I feel I have been given a great chance,” said Girard-Guel. “I want to gain practical experience in research and learn interesting ways to communicate heritage-related issues to diverse groups.”

The time spent in Rome will also allow her to pursue her interest in the Arts. In addition to her current research activities, Girard-Guel is a practicing artist and has exhibited her work in Montreal, Hull and Ottawa. While an information officer at the National Gallery of Canada, she gained an appreciation for the administrative side of the art world. Her time in Italy will further her education and experience.

“The Vatican’s collection of art and artifacts is one of the great collections of the world, inspiring for anyone interested in heritage,” said Girard-Guel. “I love how the old and the new intertwines with modern architecture – the past in the present, because of effective conservation and restoration practices.”

While she expects to put in the long hours necessary to complete the internship project, she is determined to enjoy la dolce vita Rome offers.

“I can’t wait to eat pizza,” said Girard-Guel. “And have a shot of espresso in the afternoon at a local espresso bar.”