This spectacular two week program offers the opportunity to live and create in Florence, Italy, a cultural capital of Europe. As the home of the Italian Renaissance and the birthplace of the modern world, Florentines championed democracy, science, literature as well as painting, sculpture, and architecture. The Tuscan countryside offers rolling landscapes, pastoral farms, vineyards, and medieval towns clinging to the hills.
Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA) is a fantastic facility to use as a home base with all that is needed to experiment and evolve in the creative process of image making. The facility has five intaglio presses, two exposure units, an alternative dark room dedicated to printmaking, and plenty of lockers and flat files for workshop participants. The digital area is well equipped with a 13 inch printer, and Apple computers. SRISA is located in the heart of Florence within a short walking distance to just about everything – the Duomo, the Uffizi Museum, the Accademia, the Mercato Centrale, Santa Croce, and dozens of fabulous restaurants.
COURSE OFFERING
Monotype, Collage, and ImageOn/Solarplate
This workshop focuses on mixed media printmaking. Using Akua non-toxic water-based inks, participants of all levels will learn monotype through various methods of mixing, modifying, layering inks, using and abusing mark-making tools, and exploring the limits of paper. Instruction includes a wide range of uses for chine colle, collage, and drawing. ImagOn and Solarplate will be taught, both as means in themselves and integrated with other techniques. Photoshop will be introduced to help artists learn the basics of photo digital imaging and how to apply it to Imagon, Solarplate, and collage. Multi-plate printing methods will open the door to endless possibilities.
The emphasis is on the “Artist as an Inventor,” and each participant is encouraged to stretch his or her methods of expressing and breaking barriers into new and uncharted territory. The information presented is cumulative, and participants will have the opportunity to revisit works developed over the course of two weeks. The workshop will culminate with an informal critique and discussion to serve as closure and celebration on the final day of class. If you have any questions regarding this course please contact Ron Pokrasso, pokrasso@gmail.com or have a look at the website, www.ronpokrasso.com.
For the 2024 workshop we will also have the assistance of Devin Kovach. Devin was our workshop assistant in the 2014 Florence program. Since then he has headed up the printmaking department at the Temple University program in Rome. After 8 years teaching in Rome, shaping the printmaking department, and assisting me again in 2022 and 2023 Devin will be even more prepared to offer instruction, assistance and his own points of view while consulting with you and your project needs. In essence you will be benefitting from the guidance of two highly qualified instructors.
THE PROGRAM
The program includes 10 days of instruction beginning May 3 and ending May 16 with a minimum of 60 contact hours, the use of the studios from 9AM to 10PM throughout the program, access to the printmaking digital lab, various tools and equipment, (including presses and exposure units), and most printmaking materials such as Akua inks and modifiers as well as ImageOn film. Participants traveling from the U.S. should plan on supplying their own Solarplates- Additional Solarplates will be available for purchase on- site. Students will also be encouraged to bring some of their own paper however decent papers can be purchased locally as well during the workshop. Participants have access to wifi. The schedule is as follows: 4 days of instruction, 2 days off, 3 days of instruction, 2 days off, 3 days of instruction. Participants can work in the open studio on the off days or take the time to explore the City and Region. The program includes a festive welcome dinner, a half-day guided walking tour of Florence, a full day excursion to Siena, an historical/ cultural lecture delivered by SRISA”s faculty and a farewell dinner and celebration.
TUITION
The tuition for the 2024 program is $2295. Contact me to confirm your space and then send a check to:
Ron Pokrasso, 1417 Galisteo Street, Santa Fe, NM, 87505.
Alternatively let me know if you’d like to use a credit card. I will prepare a Paypal invoice, however, we will share the 4% service fee.
Tuition balance is due now.
HOUSING
SRISA offers housing for students during their semester programs. These are bare bones, nothing fancy and usually you will be asked to provide your own linens. These are available to us from May 2-17. The price for a double occupancy is $955. A private room in a shared student apartment is $1255. Participants with specific needs or desiring something more upscale will likely need a private apartment and can expect costs to increase significantly. You are welcome to arrange for your own housing as well. There are scores of vacation rentals all over Florence. For purposes of searching our SRISA studio is located at Via San Gallo 53R (red). Check out these listings for May 2-17:
https://www.hometogo.com/search/54061fef387e1?arrival=2024-05-02&duration=15&dateRange=
TRAVEL
Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from Florence. It is a good idea to make plans to arrive a few days before the beginning of the program to help acclimate to the culture and time difference. Note: SRISA student housing options are only available for check-in May 2 and check-out May 17.
PROGRAM INFORMATION, REGISTRATION, HOUSING and PAYMENTS contact:
Ron Pokrasso
1417 Galisteo Street
Santa Fe, NM 87505
505 577 6296
pokrasso@gmail.com
www.ronpokrasso.com