I was delighted to be asked join Carole Robb and her faculty as Teaching Assistant for the Rome Art Program in May 2014. I have been closely involved with the program since leaving university (SFASU with my MFA in painting with printmaking as a minor in 2012) and it was an amazing experience; I delighted in becoming Roman for that special time, and naturally allowed myself the luxury of this culture at full speed, in all its panoply of hues. This meant that I take it Rome on as a verb, actively yomping the city snaking on foot along the Tiber, and using the subway and bus system.
It was amazing to have a commute that literally followed such illustrious paths. I loved walking along the Circus Maximus at 7.30am when the temperature was cool and the light fresh and clear; the Cypress trees punctuating the horizon line like hatched pencil strokes and the air scented with herbs and cut grass. That year the Rolling Stones were due to play there which gave it another dimension.
My apartment was in the Garbatella district, so I quickly adapted to the busy morning commute as well as a floodlit night time stroll through the city to get the train from the Pantheon back home. Thus I was able again to revel in all the Roman night time had to offer with the world renowned opera.
For the past three years I have indulged in a charming Roman tradition within the beautiful theatres historic setting, where patrons are served a delicious meal of pasta and sip on a glass of fizz during the intermission! Hearing the virtuosity of the singers at such close quarters in such an intimate setting is nothing short of spectacular.
Over the years the weather has been consistently hot and this year was one of the wettest. We on the RAP are not lesser men and I sat in a little nook like Titania in A Midsummer’s Nights Dream painting the Arch of Titus in the Roman Forum, sporting an alluring plastic mac with a tacky yellow touristy umbrella strategically perched on my coiffure as thunder and lightning struck all around me – happily a good painting ensued!
Whatever the weather the city is spectacular. The faculty is always a delight and there to make sure all students work at their maximum potential. The band of brothers was fantastic in helping during critique and arranging farewell parties. The course trips are arranged to get the cohort to mix and experience the most glorious Roman views, current exhibitions and amazing museums. Take full advantage of the city and pre-planning your own individual tickets is well worth it also. Naturally I made the most of the cheap train travel and over my three visits have covered the best part of the country on sleeper trains; arriving at cities for a full day of exploration. It’s a simply magical lifetime experience from the Vatican to the Jewish quarter and the deep fried artichokes and rich sticky fruit buns and naturally gelato.
You are all are so very lucky to go this year.
Enjoy and carpe deium!
Lizzie Clark-Paterson, Teaching Assistant Summer 2014
Lizzie is currently teaching Art History, Art Appreciation Drawing and Painting at HCC and Lone Star Colleges.
Main Image: The Arch of Titus at the Forum by Sarah Rose via Flickr