The University of Texas of the Permian Basin will be offering a Maymester class this spring 2017 called Diverse Study in Art History Abroad (ARTS 3601). This Art Program six-credit course allows for the study of Art History through travel in a variety of foreign countries.

“Students will first attend a classroom component in the Maymester session to learn about the art and historic sites of Italy. Then, they travel on an 11-day trip to different areas of Italy to complete the course. The course can be used to fulfill academic elective credits. In addition, there is the possibility to audit the course and attend the trip,” informed professor Nancy Hart, who is the associate professor of Art, Drawing, and Painting.

The trip itinerary entails visiting Rome where the group will tour the Vatican Museum including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Cathedral and see ancient sites like the Pantheon and Roman Forum. They will also be visiting the Amalfi coast and Tuscany which includes Pompeii, Naples Archeological Museum, a free day in Sorrento, day trips to Pienza, and so much more. The trip will end in Florence with a tour of the Uffizi Museum, the Duomo, and the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s statue of David.

“This trip gives students the opportunity to view major artworks, historic sites, churches, and things of that nature through first-hand experience,” Hart explained. “I believe it is important for students to see the environment in which the works were created. For example, to travel to Florence, where Michelangelo and other great Renaissance artists lived and worked.”

Hart has led three previous UTPB study-abroad classes to Italy, France and England. She has also had experiences at other universities in creating study abroad trips to Italy. She said the experience was invaluable for the students and gave them insights into artworks they further studied in UTPB classes as well as learning about the culture and history of another country.

“This information isn’t something that can be solely understood by viewing images of the artwork in a textbook but instead needs to also be seen in person. I have traveled to Italy for the past fifteen summers for research for my artwork, to attend artist residency programs and to teach in study-abroad programs in Torino and Viterbo, Italy. My work has also been shown in exhibitions in Italy, including a solo exhibition in Venice, Italy this past June. I have traveled extensively in Italy and want to share my knowledge of the country and also introduce the students to the great art in the museums and churches,” Hart said.

The professor hopes that through taking this trip, the students will gain a new understanding of the tremendous history of Italy through viewing the artworks of the Ancient Etruscans, Romans and Renaissance Artists, in the locations where the art was created.

Registration for the course is still going on right now for all students who are interested. Professor Hart noted that the airline will only hold a limited number of seats for the group so if anyone is interested they should register as soon as possible. Small scholarships may be available through the travel agency and UTPB for students participating in the Maymester course. There will be optional meetings before the course begins to answer questions about international travel, provide an introduction to basic Italian language skills and other useful information about how to prepare for the trip.

If you would like any additional information on the trip you can contact Professor Hart in her office: VAS 209, by phone: 432-552-3289 or through her email at [email protected].