Florence, Rome, and Siena / Summer 2008
Calendar & Itinerary
This intensive winter workshop was designed to give artists and scholars the opportunity to experience some of Italy's best works of figurative art, in person, with two remarkable teachers: Frank Porcu, master anatomist and visual arts instructor, and Piergiacomo Petrioli, Ph.D., professor of art history specializing in Italian art. Every day we will hit the museums, looking at some of the most celebrated works from Ancient to Neoclassical times (along with many obscure ones as well). Each piece will be placed in a rich context of anatomical and historical information, so that participants understand not only who made it and when, but how it was made, with special emphasis on the construction of figurative elements
Can a person really bend into that position? What are those lumps and bumps around Cellini's Perseus? How did the great masters understand anatomy, resolve forms, and know when to emphasize and when to subdue features of the body and facial expression? Is Michelangelo's David in proportion? These are the types of issues that will be explored—standing before these masterpieces—during this workshop.
Lodging for nine nights in a 4-star hotel is included, as is transportation, entrance fees, and breakfast on each day of the course.
Course package includes:
Course Costs
Rome, Siena, and Florence
See images of Rome, Florence and Siena from a 2005 summer workshop.
This power-pack trio of scenic cities offer unquantifiable cultural and artistic wealth. Located within a 2.5-hour radius of each other, Rome, Siena and Florence boast some of Italy's most famous examples of figurative art, and make them the ideal destination points for our workshop. It is estimated that Italy possesses nearly three-quarters of the West's artistic patrimony, and you will see many of its highlights during this tour. Participants will additionally have two free days to explore the cities on their own, or take small excursions to nearby points of interest.
View a map of Italy on Google Maps >
Frank L. Porcu is a painter and sculptor who earned a BFA from Pratt Institute and an MFA from the New York Academy of Art. He currently teaches anatomy at the Art Students League of New York, the New York Academy of Art, and the Muttontown School of Fine Arts. Frank has studied drawing, painting, and anatomy with Salvatore Montano, and sculpture with Alfredo Cardenas. A recipient of the James Amster Memorial Award from the National Arts Club, he has participated in group exhibitions in New York, Long Island, Italy, and Paris, France. His website is at frankporcu.com.
Special package lodging for double and triple occupants is provided in a 4-star hotel, included in the trip cost. Participants may request single occupancy for a surcharge of $30 per night. More images and information on lodging can be seen here.
Currency
Check here to find out what the latest conversion is from your currency to the euro: http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Food
A large breakfast each morning is included in the trip cost.
Italian Language
You will not need to know Italian to participate in this workshop, but it is helpful to have some basic knowledge. Many students find that they want to communicate more with local residents, and therefore we recommend that as a minimum you pick up a phrasebook. There are many decent book/cd options for students who want a more thorough practice. The Ultimate Italian series offers a good balance between solid grammar skills and practical conversation.
Although many vendors in Rome and Tuscany know at least some English, it is always polite to ask first: “Parla inglese?” (PAR-lah een-GLAY-zay?) – “Do you speak English?”
Getting There
Please read our tips on airfare to Italy—keep in mind when booking a flight that our workshop ends in Florence and that you will need to book accommodations in Rome if you plan on leaving from that city the following morning.
What to Bring
Other Expenses to Plan For
We strive to keep our courses affordable and to provide the best value possible. Understanding the budgets of students and teachers, we offer discounts for fulltime university and MFA students, doctoral students and faculty.
Course Costs
Tuition includes:
If you'd like to enroll or have any questions about this program, please contact us. We look forward to talking with you.
Please note: we reserve the right to cancel trips for unforeseen circumstances or in the event that enrollment is insufficient. If a trip is cancelled, a full refund will be issued to all participants. Although we will do our best to maintain the schedule as printed, the itinerary may changes if there are unexpected museum/church closings, strikes, or other unforeseen circumstances.
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