A note from the founder, Fall 2023

Dear Friends,

In the late 1990s, I began inviting writers to come to my studio and respond to my work in order to better understand what I was doing through the filter of their own experience and discipline. Art critics, authors and poets, visited my studio and authored work, in response to, or inspired by, the works they encountered and the conversations that unfolded during their visit, which turned into extended dialogues afterward.

In 2002, inspired by these experiences, I founded Luquer Street Projects (LSP), a non profit 501(c)3, in New York. Since its creation LSP has fostered interdisciplinary collaborations, published accompanying books, curated poetry readings and produced music performances. LSP has also been, and continues to be, available as a Fiscal Sponsor for anyone who needs a not-for-profit to fundraise for their own individual projects and/or collaborations.

In 2003 and 2007, American friends who participated in and attended my two exhibitions at the Certosa di San Lorenzo, the largest Carthusian Monastery in the world, were so excited about discovering the area that brainstorming began for building a creative community, leading to the formation and launch in Italy of BACAS -Borghi Antichi, Cultura, Arti e Scienze, in 2018.

For the launch, an exceptional list of authors, architects, engineers, visual artists, local cultural operators, students and guests participated in residencies, workshops, talks and excursions within the historic context of the fortress built by the Sanseverino princes in the early 1400’s (commonly known today as Castello Macchiaroli), in the hilltop town of Teggiano.

The well received, highly acclaimed launch, was made possible by countless hours of hard work by a dedicated group that came together to realize the BACAS vision. The founding group included poet Denver Butson, author Tiziana Rinaldi Castro, architect Rossella Siani and numerous friends and members of my family, who along with the extraordinary cast of artists and scholars and Gisella Macchiaroli, who graciously made the Castello Macchiaroli available for the launch venue, made the launch unforgettable. Since that launch in Italy, BACAS has also programmed, produced and sponsored events in New York from its other home in the culture-rich Hudson Valley.

Since 2019, I've had the privilege of representing BACAS in several retreats of a group of directors of American residency and research centers operating in Italy. The group was formed by Dana Prescott, former director of both the American Academy in Rome and Civitella Ranieri in Umbria, with the goal of creating a network for collaboration and the sharing ideas between the more experienced organizations and ones in their infancy. The know-how shared in these retreats has led to a new chapter in the story of BACAS, which will unfold in the coming years. 

We look forward to sharing our vision and new programming in 2024 and beyond.

Pietro Costa
Founder & CEO