student testimonials
"self-portrait" by Harper Stone
Student: Harper Stone, Fall 2005
Subjects studied: Painting, Art History
Home school & Major: College of Santa Fe, BFA Studio Art-Painting
Date of graduation:May 2007
Web Page: http://www.harperstone.org/gallery/
What are you doing now?
Finishing school, then starting a fantasy role-playing camp for kids,
then travelling. Making art all the while. Do you have plans to return
to Italy or Europe: Yeah, I'd like to go to Ireland and france in 2008,
and work on organic farms through the WWOOF program. I know I'll visit
italy again, though I'm not sure I'd live there, except maybe in San Gimignano.
How would you describe your experience at Santa Reparata:
I happened to come to SRISA the semester there were no other advanced
painting students. So two of my classes were cancelled. This turned out
to be a blessing in disguise, since I got to structure two independent
studies with the painting faculty that met my needs better than any class
I could have gotten. I did one independent study on Traditional techniques
and materials in a contempory discourse. So I was learning how to paint
like an old master and use materials like egg tempera and encaustic, and
I was using that knowledge and materials to make art that talked about
identity, the body, politics, and abstraction in the context of illusion.
I had the space to work and the freedom to stretch out and experiment
with my work.
How would you describe your experience in Florence:
For someone who loves art, it's incredible. I went to every museum, gallery
opening, and church that I could, and after 3 months I still didn't see
it all. I would just start walking in a direction, without any plan, and
invariably I'd find a multidute of astonishing things. I made some great
friends in the community, outside of school, and I even met my doppleganger.
How do you feel the experience studying abroad has changed your
life?
I grew so much. What was so exceptional was how little control I had at
when I first arrived. I was powerless: I didn't know the language, the
place, the people, nothing. Everything was unknown, and so I got to just
live and figure things out, and pick things up gradually. It was like
being a child again, there was so much potential. It broka all of my habbits
routines and I was much more confident and mature by the time I left.
What advice that you would pass on to future students planning to study
in Florence & SRISA: I really focussed my time on my education. I
tried to get everything that Florence & SRISA had to offer, art-wise.
Most people spend less time hunting down art or painting late at night.
Most people enjoy themselves, drink wine, go to clubs, absorb the atmosphere
of the city. I'm sure there's value in both approaches; it all depends
how you'd like to grow. If I were to give any advice it would be this:
you will likely have much more freedom in Florence than you have at home;
this can be a blessing or a curse, depending how you function without
so much restraint and structure; be responsible.
Sean Looney
Fall 2004
I studied a semester in Florence at your school. I really
think it is one of the best experiences in my life. I am so glad I went
to Florence and all of you at Santa Reparata were great. I can't stress
to everyone I meet how important everyone has such an experience. I think
it is one of the first things I tell anybody now when I talk about my
photography.
look at Sean's Florence photos at: looneyphotography.com
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