The Appalachian State University Department of Art is proud to announce that Associate Professor and Sculpture Coordinator Travis Donovan has recently returned from Gramolazzo, Italy, after completing the 2026 Digital Stone Project (DSP) Residency. This marks Donovan’s second time participating in the selective international program, having previously attended in 2023. He completed a new marble sculpture entitled Blow (Floral), that is the second work in his floral series and follows up the sculpture Drape (Floral) from his 2023 residency.
Merging High Technology with Ancient Tradition
The Digital Stone Project is a unique organization that bridges the gap between state-of-the-art digital design, robotic stone-carving technology, and traditional hand-sculpting methods. Held in the Tuscan quarry region of Garfagnana, the residency brings together an international cohort of sculptors, architects, and artists.
Photo by Spencer Hansen Photography
During the intensive month-long program, residents utilize advanced 3D scanning, computer-aided design (CAD) software, and multi-axis robotic milling tools to rough out their designs from solid blocks of Italian marble. The artists then spend weeks hand-finishing, refining, and polishing their stone sculptures to completion.
Featured Work: Blow (Floral)
Donovan’s primary project during the 2026 residency, titled "Blow," builds upon an ongoing series exploring how spatial and decorative patterns encountered throughout his life have shaped his personal identity.
Artist Statement Excerpt:
"This specific work focuses on my interest in embroidery and cross-stitched patterns—processes I watched my aunt and other female family members practice. Although these textile processes influenced me as an artist and my aesthetic appreciation of fabrics, textures, and floral patterns, I wasn’t encouraged to practice them. I am currently making work that revisits these patterns, re-envisioning them in different materials to celebrate and explore them in new ways.
Created using CAD software that simulates a digital plane of soft material blown against another surface, 'Blow' depicts digital fabric featuring a raised embroidery pattern blowing horizontally across my face. Aesthetically, I am interested in how the patterned fabric partially obscures my features and warps the embroidery design. The distortion that occurs when translating soft embroidery to hard stone is an intentional metaphor representing my relationship to traditional stereotypes of masculinity."
Photo by Lei Maslian
Exhibition at The Fortress of Mont'Alfonso
The 2026 residency culminated in a major public exhibition celebrating the intersection of contemporary technology and fine art. Curated by New York-based curator India Price, the final sculptures are currently on display in a two-month-long exhibition set against the historic location of The Fortress of Mont'Alfonso in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Italy.
A fully documented, internationally distributed exhibition catalog featuring Travis Donovan’s work is forthcoming.
*unless noted, all photos provided by Travis Donovan
About the Department of Art
One of seven departments within the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Art at Appalachian State University prepares students to explore art, identity, expression, and creative problem-solving, while challenging them to push beyond their previous limits by discovering new connections to culture. The department offers degrees in art and visual culture, art education, graphic design, studio art, photography, and graphic communications management, with minors in art history, studio art, photography, and graphic communications management.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education for all.
Travis Donovan digital stone art thumb
Travis Donovan digital stone art thumb