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FLORENCE 2024
Florence, Italy Workshop: May 3rd - May 18th, 2024
The Character of Place: Florence 2024
A multidisciplinary workshop with numerous opportunities for interdisciplinary interaction. This two-week workshop addresses the question, “How is the unique character of Florence revealed through an intersection of the visual arts, creative writing and dramatic narrative? What is the particular character of Florence that give it the ability to carry content beyond simple physical description?”
The morning session will consist of discussions of the relationship among the arts in developing a perspective on the character of place. The morning/afternoon will provide participants with opportunities -through field studies- to explore how specific areas of the arts develop one’s perspective of the character of place.
Date
Payment Deadline: February 5th, 2024
May 3rd - May 18th, 2024
Presenter
Don Eugene Seastrum
Paul Edwards
Shelley Read
Time
The workshop will meet for a morning and afternoon session.
Location
Florence, Italy
Cost
$2,850.00
*This price does not include travel fare, room and board and any extra activities you may wish to participate in outside of the workshop.
Field Studies in the Visual Arts: The Intersection of Space, Color, and Light:
with Don Seastrum:
Working with the media of watercolor, tempera or acrylic and/or the drawing media of colored pencils, pastels or graphite (participants will select their choice of media(s). Working at on site locations (field studies) participants will visually explore the interrelationship of space, color and light, in different areas of the Florentine environs. Participants will work on pieces that employ the essence of place as an essential part of the composition rather than as a simple backdrop, as much a “character” as any other image or element in the composition.
By examining the interactive aspects of encounter, interaction, interpretation and projection (movement from concept to actualization) the field studies will go beyond pure technique into the realms of individual experience and personal expression.
Upon completion participants will have a collection of works to take back to their personal studios and use as a source for more in-depth and completed compositions. For Gunnison area participant a follow-up workshop will be offered in June 2024 that will use the Florence studies to complete more in-depth compositions.
Field Studies in Dramatic Writing: Navigating a Dramatic Narrative
With Paul Edwards:
A map of some kind is essential to get us from point A to point B. A dramatic narrative map is one of the most frequently used by writers and artists to navigate a path for both individuals and groups from stasis (a perception of stability), to disruption, to the establishment of a new stasis. In writing for theatre and film, the text used serves as a kind of map for actors, directors and designers, among others. They, in turn, through the interpretation and use of the map, create a narrative journey for audiences that can then be used by them as a kind of map in real life. But a dramatic text, or map, may also be used in other writing genres, and even in the visual arts and in music, although the structure, process and intent may be different.
This field study will place all of us in the less familiar setting of Florence, Italy and deprive us, to varying degrees, of our reliance on American English. Within this context, each of us will use artistic practice to develop a “map” (in a broad application of the word) of Florence that can evolve into a complete dramatic narrative.
Writing on the Threshold: Exploring the Intersection of Self and Place
with Shelley Read:
Writer Pico Iyer says good writing and meaningful travel both require one to “go places you have never been before and uncover things you didn’t know you had inside you.”
Please join international bestselling novelist and master teacher Shelley Read in this advanced creative writing workshop in fascinating Florence, Italy. Writers in all genres are invited to enrich their craft by exploring perception, landscape, belonging, and the many ways that space shapes narrative and narrative shapes space. Participants will learn specific literary techniques to capture place as a rich gathering of historical, cultural, and sensory particulars while simultaneously examining acuity and meaning in their writing.
Writers will gather each morning for interdisciplinary discussions with fellow program participants, followed by activities specific to Shelley’s writing workshop. Afternoons will be spent exploring the city and writing in inspiring spaces. Weekends allow for guided discovery of new places with accompanying readings and writing prompts. The goal of the course is for each writer to emerge with a collection of deeply-considered, polished work and a clear pathway to publication.
ETIAS Basics for American Citizens
The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System)authorization is only good for short-term stays of 90 days or less; it is not a work visa. The ETIAS information is linked to your passport, so if you have to replace your passport for any reason, you’ll also need a new ETIAS travel authorization. (Your travel insurance company should be able to assist with a lost passport.)
01 Who Needs ETIAS Authorizations?
- You’re not a European Union national.
- You’re a citizen of any country, including the U.S., whose nationals don’t currently need a visa for a short-term stay in a European Union country.
- You don’t have a residence permit or card issued by any of the European countries that require ETIAS.
- Some travelers may be exempted from the requirement for an ETIAS travel authorization, so check before you apply.
02 How to Apply for ETIAS?
American citizens traveling to Europe can apply on the ETIAS website’s application section once it becomes operational. For notifications in the meantime, you can sign up for emails at the website. *As of July 2023, the ETIAS application fee is €7. It’s free for anyone under the age of 18 or over the age of 70.*
03 How Long ETIAS Is Good For?
The ETIAS authorization is good for three years. You can only travel in a participating country for 90 days within any 180-day period. Whenever you travel to participating countries, your ETIAS authorization must be valid for the duration of the stay.
**MAKE SURE YOUR PASSPORT IS UP TO DATE!**
This workshop is being presented in affiliation with Santa Reparata International School of Art!
Included in the workshop fee
- Morning/Afternoon Field Studies
- The morning workshop sessions discussing the relationship among the arts in developing a perspective on the character of place
- Welcome dinner
- SRISA Cultural Program and activities
- Access to the SRISA library
- 24 hour emergency assistance (SRISA)
- Orientation
- 1 day trip to San Gimignano with guided tour
Exclusion for workshop fees
- Air and Ground transportation to and from Florence
- Personal supplies
- Field trips and excursions not listed
- Meals
Housing Option:
You have the option of securing your own housing during the workshop or you may use SRISA’s housing. The cost for SRISA’s housing is $955 for double occupancy room in shared student housing, $ 1255 for a single occupancy room in shared student housing. These is no air conditioning in SRISA housing. If you select this option you will pay the housing deposits directly with SIRSA. Details for contacting SRISA available upon request from VITA.
SRISA Housing:
- Coordination and assistance in fully equipped, shared student apartments within walking distance from SRISA
- Welcoming bag
- Utilities (basic consumption)
- Internet
- 24-hour emergency assistance
Housing Exclusions
- Bed sheet and bath towels (linens not provided)
- Air conditioning
- Cleaning service
- Telephone
