Luigi Ontani receives first honorary degree at Bologna's Academy of Fine Arts as new wing opens

On October 28, 2024, the Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna inaugurated its newly renovated Ala Irnerio wing, a 2,000-square-meter space across four floors. The project, designed by Studio Architetto Egidio Lomi, preserved the building's architectural character while upgrading safety and accessibility for teaching, workshops, and study. The wing, originally designed in 1956 by sculptor Fabio Farpi Vignoli and architect Melchiorre Bega, had never undergone such a comprehensive renovation. At the ceremony, artist Luigi Ontani (born 1943 in Vergato) received an honorary Diploma in Painting Visual Arts, the first honorary academic title ever awarded in the Academy's history. Director Cristina Francucci emphasized the creation of a large common area to foster community life. The renovation transformed the main body into classrooms for degree programs in Decoration, Graphic Design, Art Education, Fashion Design, and Scenography, among others. A 170-square-meter ground-floor hall was enclosed with glass walls for student activities, and the basement was converted into a Product Design workshop with custom lab tables developed by the Product Design 3 course and built by Mobilferro. Founded in 1710, the Academy counts among its former professors Donato Creti, Giorgio Morandi, Virgilio Guidi, Quinto Ghermandi, and Concetto Pozzati.