OIL PAINTING

Markie Ramage shares her experiences in Oil Painting Class:

“Oil painting is the best experience.  We have painted a still life using a grey scale, which is created by applying grey and white oil paints with a pallet knife, to teach us how to use value in a painting.  We are working on self-portraits and seeing how different color tones affect a painting.  Being in Florence, where the Renaissance was born, you find tons of inspiration from things such as the street artists, who use chalk on the sidewalks to recreate famous paintings, and of course by the centuries old paintings throughout the city.  Although class is held inside, we still find bits of Florence in our own art studio, that has a massive fresco across its ceiling.  During class we have a short break where we can take a moment to look at our paintings and I find myself staring at the studio ceiling in amazement instead.  We receive lots of help from our teacher, Antonio, who challenges us to use our full potential.”

Student self portraits displayed at the Art Show

CEREMONIA DI DIPLOMA

On Friday, students in the Italian major celebrated their final class at Lorenzo de Medici Institute with a graduation ceremony.  Each student was awarded a certificate for their accomplishments this month and everyone enjoyed refreshments on the terrace before the ceremony.  These language learners have had the chance to show off their new Italian skills throughout the summer and have a lot of fun along the way.  Che bravi studenti! 

Ilana receives her diploma

Studenti d'italiano

IRON CHEF

On Sunday, studenti were put to the test during our annual Iron Chef competition! Each cooking group was given a bag with spaghetti, mozzarella, onions, tomatoes, bread, and ricotta cheese-plus four “mystery” items: fennel, pear, peas, and provolone cheese. The rules: create at least two courses using every ingredient in the bag (plus two other ingredients of their choice) in 90 minutes. A panel of lucky judges (the staff) got to taste all of their amazing creations (che buono!) and considered presentation, plating, and creativity when making their final decision.  After much discussion, we settled on a three-way tie for first place: “Super 8”, “The Veggies”, and “Valentina’s Great Team”. Needless to say, we were blown away!

One of the winning team's presentations: fennel tea, caramelized pear with prosciutto, and nutella pasta!

The Davids' winning creations

Super 8 (minus Claire and Bari)

The Davids explain their meal in full costume with musical accompaniment 

The judges hard at work

WEEK 4 FOTO HIGHLIGHTS

Emma and Melissa are all smiles

Maddie in action during Night Photography

Cooking group dinner on the terrace

Valentina's Great Team! One of our Iron Chef winners :)

Last cooking group night: pizza and profiteroles :)

David, Erin, Katie, and Sara

Quintessential Italian birthday cake- pizza!

LA CUCINA TOSCANA

Adam Ribkoff shares his experiences in Tuscan Cuisine Class:

“The Tuscan Cuisine class is an amazing sensory experience.  I love seeing the beautiful ingredients, smelling them, hearing the oil sizzle, feeling the pasta dough as I knead it, and of course tasting the end results.  Now that I have learned how to make pesto, I’m going to put it on everything because it’s so good. Maybe I’ll become fat from all that good food we’re making, such as gnocchi, bruschetta, and a bunch of different pasta sauces.  I think next week we’re making desserts, so I’ll just become fatter.”

Sam and Tess listen carefully while learning how to knead pizza dough

Best part of class: tasting the final product!

LA CLASSE D'ITALIANO

Ilana Duek shares her experiences in Italian class at Lorenzo de Medici:

“Italian has been helpful throughout this experience because we don’t learn the language in a boring way.  We actually go out and talk with people, ask them questions- and when we have doubts, we talk with our teacher.  She is really nice and good at explaining everything.  Italian is not as easy as it seems but definitely learning it here in Florence is just PERFECT!”

Stuart, Andrew, Ilana and Evan head to class

Taylor works on an assignment during class

Andrew, Ilana and Evan 

FASHION DESIGN

Emma Rosen shares her experiences in Fashion Design class:

“From trend forecasting to figure drawing, this summer we have thoroughly explored the world of fashion design.  Every day brings a new learning experience.  We have traveled to Florence’s top stores and visited vintage markets as well as fabric stores.  Along with our excursions, Jessica, our teacher, has perfected fashion figure drawing and aided us as we work toward creating a final collection.  She creates a very fun and encouraging atmosphere that makes class even more enjoyable.  Because of this course we have all grown as artists and designers and learned valuable information about the industry that will be very helpful in the future.”

Helen at the Santa Reparata International School of Art

Nicki works on a figure drawing

Nicki building her final project

Brittany and Julia working with a pattern

Lena considers fabric choices

Guest blogger Emma during class

UNA BELLA PASSEGIATA ALLE CINQUE TERRE

For our third weekend excursion, we traveled outside of Tuscany to the nearby region of Liguria, about two hours south of Firenze.  We arrived in La Spezia and took the train to Riomaggiore, the first of five towns that make up Cinque Terre.  Together, our grande famiglia walked the first part of the trail- Via dell’Amore (Lovers Lane) and witnessed breathtaking views of the coastline.  Upon our arrival in Manarola, the second town, our group split into Team Hikers and Team Beach.  I am happy to say that a record breaking twenty-seven students chose to trek- the biggest group we’ve ever had! The hiking crew continued onto Corniglia where they stopped for lunch (pesto is a local specialty!), and then forged on to Vernazza, the fourth town.  After a quick break for water and to catch their breath, they completed the last and most strenuous part of the trail, climbing up and down endless stone stairs.  Luckily, the weather was breezy and not as scorching as usual- plus, studenti got an unbelievable view each time they stopped for a water break.  After almost three hours of trailblazing, the group arrived triumphantly in Monterosso, the final and largest of the five towns, where they were reunited with the rest of our group who had been enjoying a day on the beach.  All were eager to jump into the Ligurian Sea and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing.  Studenti enjoyed some local specialties (pesto, focaccia, sea food) during dinner, and by evening everyone was satisfied, sun kissed, and smiling after a wonderful adventure. 

Abbey Road does Cinque Terre!

Helen, Brittany & Stuart on Via dell'Amore

Nicki found a shout out to ABBEY ROAD on Via dell'Amore :)

3 members of Team Hike: Jordan, Isabel and Emma 

WE DID IT! Celebrating as they enter Monterosso

Victory pose at the end of the hike

Beach time!

Rare staff photo! Anastasia (our fearless leader), Antonio, and Winnie

LA SCUOLA DEL CUOIO

Florence is well known for producing hand crafted leather goods.  Some studenti had the chance to see this century old process in action during an afternoon excursion to la Scuola del Cuoio, a leather workshop inside the monastery of Santa Croce. Scuola del Cuoio was established after World War II by the Gori and Casini families to provide orphans with a practice trade work experience.  Abbey Road students were able to see artisans creating handbags, belts, and other items, touch leather samples, and witness the gilding process of adding gold leaf to personalize these hand crafted items. 

Listening to a demonstration of the gilding process

Daniela considers the ornate handbags

Feeling leather samples 

FOTOGRAFIA DIGITALE

Caroline Newman shares her experiences in Digital Photography:

“During this month, Pam, our instructor, has helped us see so much of Florence and capture it in a few photos.  She started by teaching basic setting such as aperture and shutter speed.  We then moved onto composing our photographs where we learned about the 2/3 rule: the subject should be 2/3 of the way into your picture, the golden triangle: your photo should have one high point and be drawn down to two lower points, and dramatic lighting.  To individualize our work, we all chose themes such as texture or doors to foucs on throughout the month.  Finally, to present our work we are using altered books- books we painted, cut, and drew in and a strip of film with plastic covers hung together.  Everything we learned from Pam will stick with every single one of my classmates and we all came out of the trip as photographers.”

Nicki considers a possible shot

Shooting in Santissima Annunziata

Eilis frames the perfect shot

Working on altered books

CORSO DI DISEGNO

Monica Costantino shares her experiences in Drawing Class:

“The drawing class given by Abbey Road has been an unbelievable experience so far.  Personally, drawing has always been one of my passions, however; the students who aren’t necessarily so serious about art are enjoying it and getting just as much out of it as well.  Because this class is a beginners class, my teacher, Lindsay, had us simply start from contour sketching- otherwise known as the most basic exercise in art.  This set everyone at the same pace, which eliminated any pressure; it created an extremely comfortable environment. From there we were gradually fed more difficult tasks such as gesture drawings, standing exercises, and the focus on perspective.  This pushed everyone out of their comfort zone, encouraging them to try new things.  Although it became difficult at times, the results were only beneficial.  Students have actually been able to see a blatant change in their work since day one.  Another assignment we are receiving is the “Old Master’s Copy”.  This is our final and most important piece that we will be creating all summer. Each student is to select a painting or sculpture of his/her choice and replicate it using only graphite or charcoal.  With the amazing opportunities to observe monumental statues and the architecture throughout the city, drawing has become a highlight of my day.  The guidance and support continuously provided by the staff also make this class something to look forward to. It has been an incredibly learning experience and I’m sure each student taking this class would agree.” 

SCUOLA CERAMICA

Over the past two weeks, some Abbey Roaders have had the pleasure of attending scuola ceramica as an evening activity.  We have been invited into the studio of Enzo Formisano, a local potter and artist, for lessons on traditional Tuscan ceramic painting.  Studenti had the chance to choose a typical Tuscan pattern or image, or to create an original design for their very own plate.  Enzo explained the history and tradition behind this type of ceramics, and then helped each student to decorate a beautiful plate to take home. The mood in the studio was calm and focused as students worked diligently to paint their pieces with care.  We have quite a group of artists in Firenze this summer! 

Mirabelle hard at work

Caroline is painting a traditional Tuscan pattern

Enzo's studio

Lena, Madison & Sophie with their finished plates

Finished products! Che belli!