Painting on Pincho Hill
Samantha Sanders was awarded a One Month Work/Study scholarship to study in Rome during Summer 2015. Over the course of the next few weeks, find out about her time on the Program as she reflects on her time in Rome.
Megan and I arrived in Rome Sunday, June 1st. We had both came from Pennsylvania College of Art and Design on an work/study scholarship – I was lucky to have a friend with me because I had had no idea what to expect over the next month.
Coming from America the transition to Italy was a little hard for me at first. The first week was filled with many new experiences. Coming from rural Pennsylvania I’d never needed to take a bus, train or subway until now. These modes of transportation would become a huge part of my trip and was the key part in getting me to any site. That’s the great part about the program; everything is on site – even the art history classes! Once I got off the bus or subway I was racing down Roman streets, past tourists and vendors to the site where I’d be making paintings or drawings for the day.
Each day we would paint in the morning and once a week paint at night. We would then draw until 5pm and then the rest of the evening was for rest and exploration. During the first week I worked at Pinco Hill, Pizza del Popolo and the Pantheon, along with other sites; saw the American Academy and sat by Roman aqueducts. I made a whole pile of work, ate gelato – and got lost a few times!
My first week in Rome went fast and was stressful. If you’re a city person it much be an easy transition for the most part. Not only did I step into a new country but a whole new way of moving and seeing and understanding a space like never before. Not only was I tested artistically I was tested physically and mentally, all of which is truly unique about the Rome Art Program.
Read about the rest of Sam’s experiences in Rome here, here and here.
Samantha Sanders, Summer 2015