Dr Sean Lysaght is a published poet and writer from Limerick, living in County Mayo. His poems and writings often engage with his love for nature and bird life; a passion reflected in his thesis ‘Clare Island Survey’ that looks at the diverse natural habitat of the western island of Clare Island off County Mayo. A long-standing visitor of Panicale, his time here has influenced his work; most recently, his translation of Goethe’s works ‘Venetian Epigrams’.  Sean continues to visit the studio and is engaged in running retreats during the summer months when the bird life is at its height. Click here to read Sean’s poem, "GAVDIVM: A Tuscan Sketchbook"

Stephania is Professor of English Literature at the University of Genoa and is the visiting scholar at UC Berkeley California. She is a specialist in D H Lawrence and the American poet Tommy Gunn and gives lectures and has translated many volumes of work into Italian over recent years. Stephania is a great friend of Studio Panicale and is occasionally involved with writers who attend residencies at StudioPanicale. She currently runs a summer workshop at Studio Panicale for students visiting Italy from UC Berkeley.