Art, culture, and lifelong learning through travel
LECTURE SERIES
Artblazing Tours offers a series of engaging Zoom lectures, presented by Sevan Melikyan, designed to illuminate the cultural and historical context of each tour destination. These 90-minute sessions are complimentary for registered trip participants and open to "armchair travelers" who may register for individual lectures or the full series through our Lecture Registration page. All lectures are recorded, and a link to the recording is provided within 48 hours for anyone who missed the session or wishes to watch it again.
SPLENDORS OF SICILY Lecture Series
The Splendors of Sicily and Malta tour includes a captivating series of Zoom lectures exploring the rich cultural heritage of Sicily and Malta—from Prehistoric wonders and Greco-Roman temples to the dramatic masterpieces of Caravaggio. Join the Zoom lectures on Wednesdays at 2:00 PM throughout November. Individual lectures are $15 each, or get the full series for $40 (save $20).
Register today at artblazingtours/lecture-registration.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
This lecture explores Sicily’s rich Greco-Roman legacy, tracing its history as the world’s most conquered island. Key architectural landmarks include the Temple of Apollo (550 BC), Temple of Zeus (480 BC), Temple of Concordia (440 BC), and Taormina’s ancient theater (300 BC–210 AD). Highlights from Agrigento’s archaeological museum and ancient Greek wine culture add depth. Attendees will gain insights into the evolution of Classical art and architecture, from the Archaic Greek to Roman periods, setting the stage for the series.
Lecture 1: Sicily’s Greco-Roman Heritage
Lecture 2: Sicily’s Arab, Byzantine, Norman, and Baroque Heritage
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
This lecture examines Sicily’s diverse cultural layers, shaped by Arab, Byzantine, and Norman influences. Highlights include the Palatine Chapel and the cathedrals of Monreale and Cefalù, celebrated for their exquisite Byzantine mosaics and richly adorned capitals in Monreale’s cloister. These masterpieces reveal a unique synthesis of artistic traditions. The lecture concludes with an exploration of Sicily’s vibrant Baroque legacy, showcasing iconic structures in Catania and Palermo. Attendees will discover how these eras collectively shaped Sicily’s architectural and cultural identity.
Lecture 3: Malta: A Journey Through Time - From Prehistoric Temples to the Great Siege
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
This lecture explores Malta's remarkable history from prehistoric temples to medieval knights. It follows the Knights of St John from their origins in Amalfi through the Holy Land, Cyprus, and Rhodes to Malta in 1530, culminating in the legendary Great Siege of 1565 against the Ottoman Empire. The journey encompasses medieval Mdina, early Christian sites in Rabat, the Wignacourt Museum, St Paul's Catacombs, ancient Ġgantija Temples (3600 BCE), and the Neolithic Ħal-Saflieni Hypogeum, presenting Malta as a unique crossroads of civilizations.
Lecture 4: Caravaggio: A Life in Light and Shadow
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
This lecture explores the dramatic life and art of Caravaggio, whose time in Sicily followed his escape from imprisonment and flight from the Knights of Malta. We’ll examine significant works on view, uncovering his revolutionary use of light and realism. The lecture begins with a prologue on Antonello da Messina, whose mastery of oil painting set the stage for the High Renaissance and prefigured Caravaggio’s Baroque innovations. Antonello’s works, housed in museums in Palermo, Siracusa, Cefalù, and Messina, offer a compelling prelude to the Baroque. Concluding the series, this lecture highlights how Sicily, with its breathtaking vistas and cultural treasures stands as a microcosm of Western heritage, inspiring a deeper appreciation of its unparalleled legacy.
SEVAN MELIKYAN
Sevan Melikyan is an independent art historian and lecturer with a repertoire of over 60 engaging presentations. Since 2018, he has led numerous international art tours, sharing his deep knowledge and infectious passion for art and culture.
Before founding Wired Gallery in High Falls, New York, Sevan spent twelve years as Marketing Director of the Van Cliburn Foundation. He was also an exhibiting artist, formerly represented by William Campbell Gallery in Fort Worth, Texas. While he no longer paints, his artistic sensibilities continue to shape his curatorial eye and his approach to teaching.
Sevan believes that learning—especially through travel—is one of life’s most enriching and transformative pursuits. His lectures aim not only to inform but to inspire, bridging past and present through the power of art.