June 9–24, 2012

A once-in-a-lifetime chance to create, live and breathe art in one of the world's most beautiful and mysterious cities. Taught by Mags Harries and Julie Graham, both practicing artists and longtime instructors at SMFA, this course will be divided between studio and field work. An art/architecture historian will guide you through the cultural richness of Venice, and you will thematically address the physical and visual sense of place. We encourage an interdisciplinary and experimental approach; you will explore this timeless city through mapping, drawing, photography, time-based media, collage, temporal installation and object making. Collaboration is encouraged.

Read more program details.

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2 credits / with non-credit option
School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston at the Scuola Internazionale di Grafica in Canneregio, Venice
                                      2 credits / non-credit
Tuition:                             $2530 / $1450
Housing and Studio*    $1840 / $1840
Fees**                               $ 600 / $  600
TOTAL                              $4970 / $3890
(excluding airfare and meals)

*Cooking facilities available with housing and studio
**Fees include all transportation and fieldtrips in Venice, two special dinners, art historian lectures and insurance

Program Details

Artmaking
Venice will be the inspiration of our ideas. We will be walking and experiencing the city, then returning to the studios to translate our ideas into projects.
The Scuola de Grafica, located in the Cannaregio district of Venice, will be our base.  We will have a large open studio space, with tables and dedicated space for projects.

Students may work in any medium. Both faculty members are experienced in many media and able to assist student explorations. We suggest that each student bring a camera and sketchbooks as ways of documenting daily forays into the city.

Accommodations
Students will be housed in shared apartments in Campo St Maurizio, a 5-minute walk from the historical center, Campo San Marco. Each apartment is furnished and has equipped kitchens, bathrooms, showers, laundry facilities and communal space. Linens are provided, but you will need a towel(s), which you can get inexpensively when you arrive.

Meals and laundry
A first welcome meal and a final meal with all participants will be provided and is included in the program pricing. Beyond that, students are free to live like the Venetians, shopping and cooking in their apartments, or dining out in the many restaurants in Venice.

Assignments
Loosely based assignments will be given throughout the course. Students will be encouraged through individual and group critiques to explore their particular interests and mediums.

Field Trips
There are field trips to the museums and to the islands of Burano and Torcelo. Additionally, a historian will introduce us to the history of Venice and its canals, art and architecture.

Course hours
Class will generally be held for six hours a day, three hours in the morning and three in the afternoon. The studios will also be open and available during evenings and weekends so that students may continue working.

Free time
There are four days of unscheduled time: one at the beginning of the trip, one weekend and the last day.

What to bring
We will provide a suggested materials list, but you should bring a laptop computer, camera, sketchbooks and any additional materials that you think you might need. There is a good art store in Venice, but it's pricey. Be sure to check your airline guidelines for allowed materials onboard the plane. Aerosols and solvents are probably not permitted, even if you check your bags. No liquids, of course, may be carried onboard.

Technical equipment and WiFi
Student accommodations have a free, wireless DSL connection. Students should bring laptops. There is a printer, scanner, computers and photocopier at the Scuola.

Payment
For those registering after April 15: full payment is due at the time of registration

Program Cancellation and Refunds
SMFA reserves the right to cancel any program that does not meet minimum enrollment requirements. A full refund of tuition and fees will be made for this class only. Refunds are not available after May 1 under any other circumstances.