Legal status: The America-Italy Society of Philadelphia is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization under Sections 501 (c)(3) and 509 (a) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to the Society are deductible for federal income tax purposes.
Website: www.aisphila.org
E-mail: info@aisphila.org
Address: 230 South Broad Street, Suite 1105 Philadelphia, PA 19102
Members and roles:

History of the Committee

America-Italy Society of Philadelphia is realising numerous restoration projects in Venice since the 1970s:
· Church of Santa Maria della Visitazione: 58 ceiling panels (Umbrian School, 15th century)
· Cà Rezzonico: Ballroom ceiling frescoes by Giambattista Crosato (18th century)
· Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari: The painting of the “Assumption of the Virgin” by Titian (16th century)
· Palazzo Mocenigo: Fresco of “The Apotheosis of the Mocenigo Family” by Jacopo Guarana (18th century)
· Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, Torcello: Mosaics throughout the church interior (12th and 13th century)
· Ospedaletto dei Derelitti: Sala della Musica (18th century)
· The Church of San Martino: Altarpiece with four angels by Tullio Lombardo (16th century)
· San Michele in Isola: Three wooden statues (16th century)
· Flagpole dedicated to Doge Francesco Morosini in campo Santo Stefano
· Crucifix of San Zaccaria’s Church

Current projects

Wooden Crucifix, San Zaccaria Church. This long-planned, joint project is being financed by the America-Italy Society of Philadelphia, Venice in Peril, Save Venice, the Dutch Committee Stichting Nederlands Venetië Comité, the Comitato Italiano per Venezia and the Austrian Committee Venedig lebt.

There are no surviving documents relating to this crucifix, but it is possible that it is older than the Gothic church begun in 1458 by Antonio Gambello. The first church here was built in the 9th century.
The crucifix did undergo treatment to eliminate woodworm, x-rays and a chemical analysis. A full condition report and conservation project has been drafted and a call for bids launched to find a firm to carry out the work was conducted with success.

Some recent projects

Future projects

Future projects include assisting with the restoration of unique recordings saved from the flames of the fire that destroyed for the second time the La Fenice Opera House in 1996. In addition, we are exploring supporting a project to restore clothing designs made by Mariano Fortuny in the 1920s, some of which were sold to Americans in Philadelphia and New York.

What can be and is the role of our Committee within the Association?

We would like to implement our role in the restoration of Venetian Arts, also connected to Music, Fabrics, Restoration Schools, Scholarships and Fellowships.

What does working in Venice mean for our Committee?

Traditionally, the AIS has been involved with restoration in Venice since 1966. Our interests are concerned not only with the physical restoration of Venetian edifices and works of art, but with the physiology of rising sea levels, settling grounds, water currents, contamination, and general quality of life issues.