Colosseum, Rome
Coming together in the early morning hours for a macchiato to talk about the days agenda, when only street carts and pigeons linger in the cobble-stoned streets, makes every job I’ve ever had look mediocre in comparison. Rome in truth is a working city, capable of balancing its ancient heritage while still allowing for modern life to exist seamlessly around it. As an artist, every minute spent in Rome places you in a state of euphoria, from the hustle and bustle of every day life, to observing living history all around you.
Working for the Rome Art Program has been one of the most influential experiences of my life. I was introduced to the Rome Art Program in 2011, when I was nominated for a scholarship through a college professor to study for 2 weeks under Carole Robb in Florence, Italy. I learned more about myself as an artist in those two short weeks than during my first 2 years of art school. Carole has a profound way of latching onto your soul and pushes you to truly look at your surroundings and create art. After my experiences that first summer, I came back to Italy twice more to work for Rome Art Program, first as a personal assistant to Carole in July 2012, and again as her Teacher’s Assistant in June 2013. The constructive teachings I received during that time has made me consider pursuing art education as a career path, which I continue to stride towards today.
I believe in the ideals and teachings of the Rome Art Program to my core, and if given the opportunity, I would return to Rome in a heartbeat. When they say we are painting the Colosseum, we walk out into the streets of Rome, sit down, and PAINT the Colosseum. Nothing else can even come close to that experience. Never have I been in a place that loves artists more than Rome. The amazing part is, people are genuinely interested in watching you paint in the streets. Whether it’s the café owners, who will now and then bring out a cup of espresso with a smile, or the tourists who stare longingly over your shoulder with every brushstroke you create. After painting for hours, the smells from the pizzerias and ristorantes fill the streets, enticing you to come in and enjoy the shade and delicious foods.
Every person who studies or admires art should travel to Italy at one point or another in their lifetime. As an artist, what better way to experience a city such as Rome than to walk in the steps of countless other artists, and to paint where they have painted. Walking out the door every day for a month into the Eternal City will not only change the way you look at art, but change the way you look at life itself.
Amber Sander, Rome Art Program Alumna (2011, 2012), Painting TA (2013)
Image via Wikimediacommons