Andrea Wallace and Kari Varner
with Romeo Di Loreto and Dr. Roberta Lapucci
DATES: April 26 – May 2, 2015
SKILL LEVEL: Open to all
CONCEPT: Florence, the capital of Tuscany, the city where the renaissance began. Immerse yourself in the lively rhythms of life in Italy on an unforgettable journey as we explore its streets, piazzas and great works of art and architecture in the company of excellent guides from the Studio Arts Center International (SACI Institute). The trip’s leisurely pace allows us to explore Florence, as well as some of the surrounding Tuscan villages. We will photograph the landscape, local markets and simply appreciate the culture of Italy as we wander thorough medieval hill towns and feast on the foods and wines of the region. With its historic landmarks, grand vistas and narrow winding streets, Florence is a photographer’s paradise.
During your visit and personal journey through Florence and Siena, you will be encouraged to produce your own series of creative images through guided observations and personal coaching of a long-time Florence resident and professional photographe, Romeo Di Loreto. Starting each day from our studio at SACI, we will divide our time between photographing outdoors, exploring portraiture with natural light and taking unique visits to art exhibits with world renowned collections, including: the Pitti Palace, the picturesque Boboli Gardens, and a private tour of the Vasari Corridor. SACI’s Conservation Department Head and a leading expert on Caravaggio, Dr Roberta Lapucci, will provide an in-depth tour of several more intimate historical sites around Florence. We will also enjoy a tour of her studio and a sunset dinner in a Villa overlooking the Tuscan hills. Along with our explorations of Florence, we will experience a vineyard tour and wine tasting in the Chianti region paired with a half-day exploration of Siena. This trip will strike a balance between fieldwork, critiques, new technical and aesthetic material and the freedom to explore.
SACI is located in the historic city center of Florence, within a two-minute walk of the famous Central Market or Mercato Centrale and a five-minute walk from Brunelleschi’s Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore.
FACULTY: Andrea Wallace is the Artistic Director of Photography and New Media at Anderson Ranch Arts Center. Originally from Massachusetts, Andrea received her MFA from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her film, Rochell and Brian, a documentary about teenage pregnancy, premiered at the New York International Independent Film Festival. She exhibits nationally and internationally with numerous shows throughout the Americas, Europe, China and the Middle East.
Originally from Kansas City, Kari Varner received her BFA from the University of Denver. She is a former student of the Studio Arts Center International in Florence, Italy and has spent a year studying and living in Florence. She is the former Studio Coordinator of Photography and New Media Department at Anderson Ranch and currently works at Techno Rest Art an Italian based Art Conservation Company. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally.
Romeo Di Loreto received an MFA in Photography from Savannah College of Art and Design. He is the chair of the Photography Department at SACI. He exhibits nationally and internationally, including shows in Canada, Atlanta, New York, Cologne, England, and Florence including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Dr. Roberta Lapucci has apprenticed with Florentine restorers, worked in private studios since 1975, and established an archive of technical documentation and photographs of Caravaggio’s masterpieces at the Roberto Longhi Foundation in Florence. She teaches Conservation, Artistic Techniques and Diagnostics in specialization courses for post-graduates at the University of Florence in the chemistry and art history departments. For the Soprintendenza dei Beni Artistici of Florence, she has catalogued and restored works of art belonging to Florentine museums and churches. Lapucci has written articles for exhibition catalogs, art history magazines and critical reviews, and she is the author of a book entitled Caravaggio and Optics, published in 2005.
Tuition: $2,350
We recommend that you book accommodations in the historic city center near the Piazza del Duomo, which is a photogenic and centrally located neighborhood. Air travel, hotels and most meals are not included in the cost of tuition.
Hotel Recommendations:
5 star:
St. Regis, Florence
Westin, Florence
4 star:
Hotel Firenze Number Nine
Hotel Baglioni
Brunelleschi Hotel, Florence
3 star:
Hotel Porta Faenza
Hotel Duomo
Hotel City Florence
Contact: [email protected]
Deposit: $500 Registration Fee: $150
Payment in Full by: March 1, 2015
