The marble column and clear proportions have been paramount in the cultures of Greece and Italy. Artists and art historians so often yoke together Italy and Greece, that it is surprising no educational program has done so. We at the Aegean Center for the Fine Arts are proud to offer, for the 20th year, a program specifically designed to expose artists and students of the arts to both the contemporary life and the history of these centers of civilization. Students develop their painting, drawing, photographic, singing and writing skills while simultaneously experiencing Ancient Greece, the Italian Renaissance and contemporary Mediterranean life and light.

The Fall Session begins in the Tuscan city of Pistoia, Italy, 30 km west of Florence and concludes at our permanent facility on the Greek island of Paros. During our days in Pistoia we make many excursions to museums, sites and other important cities and towns including Venice, Pisa, Florence, Lucca, Siena and Rome. Our time in Italy concludes with a three-day stay in Rome before departing for a three-day stay in Athens on our way back to Paros. The schedule allows participants to study and base work on the two most important inter-related Mediterranean traditions of art in a single program. Once on Paros courses continue in earnest and students begin work in their studios and labs.

In Italy we stay at our lovely 16th century Villa Rospigliosi just outside the Tuscan city of Pistoia nestled in the foothills of the Apennines. Accommodations at the Villa are double occupancy, possibly triple in the very large six person rooms. While at the Villa we share beautiful meals together in the evening as well as lunches when not touring and a simple breakfast morning.

Program Cost: €8,800 Euro (beginning 2010)

Program cost includes: lodging at the 16th Century Villa Rospigliosi (3 weeks), breakfast, lunch and & evening meals at the villa, hotel accommodations for Venice (3 nights), Rome (3 nights), Athens (3 nights), Center excursions (train, boat & bus travel), all entry fees for planned program visits to museums and historical sites, boat travel from Athens to Paros, single studio apartment on Paros, studios & lab fees and all Center sponsored excursions.

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy

The Aegean Center for the Fine Arts, Inc. admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its admission policies, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.