SPC Students get Artsy in Italy

Jacob Tucker, feature editor

Beautiful villas, green hillsides, and countless historical settings are among the many sites to see in Italy. 

Most college students would never have a chance to visit this amazing, historical country.

But during the summer, 10 students from South Plains College accompanied Lynette Watkins, assistant professor of art at SPC, to this place of splendor.  What they experienced there will influence their lives forever.

This was Watkins’ third year to teach for the La Romita School of Art in Washington, D.C. 

“The La Romita is a private school where students can learn about art and the country that surrounds them,” said Watkins.

The school in Italy was a former monastery dating back to the mid-16^th century.  It functioned as a church into the early 19^th century, when it was closed.  The monastery was purchased, and in 1966 was turned into a summer art program for Rockford College in Illinois.

“The setting is amazing,” says Watkins.  “The students are able to see a fantasyland of beauty offered by Italy.”

Watkins had heard about the school many years ago and decided that she would like to give students from South Plains College a chance to learn in a highly stimulating environment. 

“I knew a few people who had been involved with the program, so I had a slight advantage,” said Watkins.  “I made a few proposals, and was highly recommended by my friends.”

Soon after, Watkins became one of the few teachers who get the opportunity to journey overseas to teach.

“It is an honor to be able to teach in such a place,” said Watkins.

Students live in the church for two weeks while touring and studying painting or photography, though the rooms that they stay in are not the original rooms once used by the monks of the monastery.  Housing is dorm-style, with two people to a room.  These rooms are quite large because they were formerly used by the monks as libraries or meeting rooms, according to Watkins.

“Due to the size of the church, only one group can come to the school at a time,” said Watkins.

Students can go to the classes early and meet their instructors in Rome. 

“This is basically for a little extra time touring in the city,” said Watkins.  “The students stay in a hotel until it is time to go to the school.”

This past summer, the hotel that the instructors stayed in was full, and the students who arrived early had to stay in an apartment near the Piazza Navona, which is Bernini’s most famous fountain.

Heather Ashby, a sophomore studio art major form Lubbock, was one of the students who got to visit Italy, and stay near this remarkable work of art.

“We got to see a little more of Rome than most who go on the trip, but it was still amazing,” said Ashby.

Ashby was fascinated by the relaxed culture that Italy had to offer.  She noticed that the people of the country were not like many in America.

“They were more observant of the artwork within their country than here in United States,” said Ashby.

The experience there was so grand that even Ashby finds it hard to believe.

“To do something that I really love in a place such as Italy, is really hard to imagine,” said Ashby.

The classes are not only for young students.  Anne Solomon, associate professor of reading at SPC, attended the photography session of the trip. 

“I acquired many new techniques to add to some of the principles that I had already known about photography,” said Solomon.

Solomon was so impressed with the trip that she said she believes that she might go again.

The classes held there are similar to a couple offered at SPC.  They all focus on design and composition.  Students are also able to learn some of the history that relates to what they see.

What students may wonder about the trip to Italy the most are the requirements and the cost of the trip.

“There are no requirements that one has to meet in order to go,” said Watkins.  “And the initial trip costs less than some trips within the state.”

For more information about the La Romita School of Art, visit their website at www.laromita.org.  For additional information on the next trip from SPC, which will be in the summer of 2007, call Watkins at 894-9611 ext. 2263 or visit her in her office in the Fine Arts Building.