Speaking of money, what is the real deal?

As you know, the program fee for any Exploration Seminar does not include a number of expenses. How do you calculate the real costs?

Here is a general budget:

Program fee: $2,995
IPE Administrative fee: $200
Airfare: $1,200+
Insurance: $200
Books/Course Materials/Art Supplies: $100+
Food (most meals are not covered by the program): $600 - $800
Personal Spending Money: variable (independent travel, entrance fees not included within the program, gifts, etc.)
Communication (internet/cell phone): $100

Information Sessions to learn more!

We will be holding three information sessions this week — meet the directors, find out more about Tuscany: A Creative Journey and, most importantly, ask questions!

Wednesday, January 23 | 5:30 p.m. | ART 211

Thursday, January 24 | Noon | ART 211

Thursday, January 24 | 2:30 p.m. | ART 212

Financial Aid and Scholarships for Exploration Seminars

* Existing financial aid can be used to pay for ExpoSem costs, but students do not get extra aid - instead they can adjust their 2008 disbursements to have access to more funds in the fall when their costs increase because of the programs. Students who want to do this must obtain a Budget of Student Expenses from IPE, and submit that to financial aid for a revision of their aid disbursement.
* ExpoSem scholarships are available ONLY to students who are already eligible for financial aid. To be considered for a scholarship, you simply go through the process above to request a financial aid revision. Anyone who does will automatically be considered for a need-based scholarship. Last year $25,000 in scholarships were awarded.
* IPE offers a mix of need and merit-based IPE scholarships, independently of ExpoSems, for UW students studying abroad. http://ipe.washington.edu/forms/IPEScholarship.pdf
* Students are always free and encouraged to pursue other funding opportunities.
* General info on ExpoSem costs:
http://depts.washington.edu/explore/about/costs.htm and financial
aid: http://depts.washington.edu/explore/forstudents/financialaid.htm

No previous art experience needed? Really?

Many of the participants may be like you, very excited about spending a month in Tuscany, looking forward to seeing some amazing art and learning more about the history of the works and the region. They are also excited about the opportunity to spend some time making their own art in response to their experience, learning a few new processes, and having fun with their peers. Many of the group members may not be art students. Some have past experience but most are just eager to learn and looking forward to trying new things. The demonstrations will be designed for folks with little to no experience so please do not feel intimidated about your technical skill level. Everyone will quickly develop a working method that suits their individual needs and abilities and will hopefully make a few things that they will look back on some day as a document of the beautiful summer they spent in Italy.

This is a 5 credit class. Of course, like any class there will be assignments you’ll need to complete, no different than here at the U. And your participation with the group is also a factor in the evaluation process, more on that at our next info sessions. We believe everyone going with us will be there because they want to, will work hard, learn a few new things and do extremely well. Everyone’s work will be unique to them, quite exciting to see develop.

Remember you can only learn what you already don’t know.

Museums in Florence — here’s just a sample

Over four million visitors view the art and architecture of Florence annually — here’s some of the reasons why:

Uffizi Gallery

Accademia Gallery

Palatine Gallery 

Museo degli Argenti

Gallery of Modern Art

Boboli Gardens

Cenacolo di Andrea del Sarto

San Marco Museum

Medici Chapels

Bargello Museum

Archaeological Museum

Museo dell’Opificio delle Pietre Dure

Rolling Admission has begun!

We have received some very great applications and have already begun to make admission decisions!  Is it too late to apply?  Of course not.

You are highly encouraged to submit your application as quickly as possible in order for it receive full consideration.  We will be reviewing applications again in early February to accept additional participants to our program. And, once again, don’t hesitate to contact either of the directors with questions or to attend any of the upcoming information sessions (Learn More: Information Sessions)

Exploration Seminar Fair

Tuesday | January 22 | Balmer Commons | 12:15 - 1:30

Come and discover some of the Exploration Seminars being offered this year.   Tuscany: A Creative Journey as well as other featured seminars offered through the School of Business will be included.

Curt Labitzke: Infinete e Eterno @ Marni Muir Gallery

Professor Labitzke will be exhibiting his work in a solo show at Marni Muir Gallery, 112 S. Washington Street, Seattle.  The show opens on Thursday, February 7th and runs through the end of the month.

What types of assignments will we be doing?

 A variety of media and techniques will be demonstrated and discussed and can include drawing, photography, watercolor, collage and bookarts.  Assignments will be designed and coordinated with site locations and the works of selected artists who lived in or traveled to Italy and whose own practice was influenced by their experiences.  In many instances, you will be asked to use demonstrated techniques on location to record your impressions and express your ideas.  For example, an assignment might ask you to work in watercolor in the Boboli Gardens (in the method of John Singer Sargent as seen in the image above) or to sketch ancient ruins in the style of Piranesi. You will develop a working knowledge of these processes through hands on experience, small group discussion and large format critiques.

Map of Santo Spirito and L’Ospitale delle Rifiorenze Youth Hostel

The Carmine complex in which the Ospitale is situated is between Piazza Santo Spirito and Borgo San Frediano.  The hostel is at the center of a historical and popular neighborhood, ten minutes on foot from the Ponte Vecchio and the train station.

The Santo Spirito neighborhood of Oltrarno is the area on the other side of the Arno river. It features a lively mix of high art and culture (there are several important Renaissance sites) and streetscapes, including markets, cafes and restaurants, piazzas where people meet and live together, artisan workshops, and the flow of contemporary Florentine life. It is very much a place for the traveler looking to scratch a little more beneath the surface of the city.