POUGHKEEPSIE, NY.- They are two of Italy’s most stunning cities. Now, photographer Paolo Nigris has captured the unique beauty of both Bologna and Siena for the exhibition “Reflections of a Study Away: Bologna and Siena” at Vassar College’s James W. Palmer Gallery. The exhibition will run from Thursday, February 22 through Friday, March 9 with an artist’s reception on Wednesday, February 28 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. The exhibition and all related events are free and open to the public. “Reflections of a Study Away: Bologna and Siena” is the first in a series of exhibitions planned for the Palmer Gallery over the next two years that will present countries where Vassar College maintains study abroad programs.

In conjunction with the exhibition, the college will host a lecture by Naoko Takahatake entitled “Bologna: Imprints of the Late 16th and Early 17th Centuries” on Wednesday, February 28 at 4:30 p.m. in the College Center Multipurpose Room. Takahatake is a Graduate Curatorial Intern in the Department of Old Master Prints at The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. She graduated from Vassar College in 1999 with a double major in art history and Italian.

In addition, the college will host a concert by Ruah (Laura Biagi) called “Voices from Home: A Performance of Italian Folk Songs, Vocal and Movement Improvisation” on Tuesday, February 27 at 8:00 p.m. in the College Center’s Villard Room.

Born in Milano, Italy, Paolo Nigris is an engineer and a biomedical software designer. Although Nigris has been fascinated by photography for his entire life, his real turning point was in 1978, when he met Ansel Adams and had the privilege of working with him. At that time, Nigris also presented his first personal exhibition at Stanford University, CA. While pursuing his main career as software designer, he remains very actively involved in fine art photography, and his works have appeared in many travel and photography publications.

Ruah, who was an exchange student at Vassar College from Siena, is an eclectic musician who brings together the practice and the theory of vocal studies, academic research and the sciences. In 1996-97, she studied jazz singing with Fabrizia Barresi at the Association Siena Jazz in Siena, Italy. During the same years, she also sang in the Florence-based Academy Gospel Choir, under the direction of Gianna Grazini.

The exhibition, lecture and concert are all free and open to the public. For Palmer Gallery hours, or to arrange accommodations for people with disabilities, call the Office of Campus Activities at (845) 437-5370.