Student Perspectives
Hans Rasch: Hans is in Valencia! Ole!
It has been 6 days since I have arrived in Spain and I already feel like I am where I belong. I am here with Dr. Tricia Young and Dr. Sally Sommer doing research into Flamenco, Spanish dance and everyday life as a performance. Every aspect of the city has its own personality and character. I have explored the city and the beaches, Cathedrals and Basilicas, amazing gardens and sat front row of an authentic and gritty Flamenco show in a dark club where the dancers perform on a stage of tables pushed together! During my time here...
read moreAlejandro Simon: FALLAS
Pure agitation is the lightest feeling one gets in Valencia when March arrives. It was the first week of March; I was crossing the street going to the art store, when all of a sudden I heard what it seemed to be firearms shots. I got very scared especially when some days before there were confrontations on the streets between kids from a high school and police men due to the fact that the city had cut the power and water of their school. I went straight home the quickest I could. Seating on the leaving room and almost out of breath I told...
read moreAlejandro Simon: Weekend of Exploration – Requena
Requena is a small town in the province of Valencia located an hour way from my place. Recent archeology studies have found evidence of sculptures and ceramic pieces that date form the 7th century B.C. I am glad had the opportunity to visit this town or village as its citizens call it. Every year Requena organizes “The Fair of Sausages”. Sausages (embutidos in Spanish) are very famous in Spain and have a very long tradition. Mentioning Spain and not talking about sausages makes no sense. My friend Vanessa and her husband took me to this...
read moreAlejandro Simon: Weekend of Exploration – Sagunto
Sometimes we seem to notice the world as a very small place where everything is connected. When I arrived at the airport in Valencia an ex-classmate and childhood friend of mine was waiting to pick me up. I have several friends from my childhood that live in Spain now, and one of them has being living in Valencia for two years now. Vanessa and I knew each other in 1st grade and stopped seeing each other when I left the island in 9th grade. After 10 years an airport in Valencia, Spain was the witness of our reunion. Vanessa and her husband...
read moreAlejandro Simon: Tablao Flamenco
One of the things that came to mind when I knew I was going to study in Valencia, was the great opportunity I was going to have of going to a life “tablao flamenco” performance, (a tablao is the place where flamenco shows are performed). For me this is of a supreme importance because since I was a child I used to go with my family to see these performances very often. In Cuba there is a huge flamenco movement and it is a big part of its culture. My sister started to study and practice these dance at the age of 7. Evidently, every show she...
read moreAlejandro Simon: A new land and its belongings
Alejandro Simon in Valencia The same thing I had said and experienced already two times in my life. The first one on March of 2002 when I arrived to the United States of America (Miami) to start a new life with my family, and the second one on August 2010 when I arrived to Tallahassee to begging my studies in pursuing a Master in Fine Arts. Both were shocking experiences in their own particular ways. Right now I am in Valencia, Spain going through a very similar feeling. It is that feeling of starting a life all over again in a very different...
read moreMandy Yourick (BFA ’10) | South Korea
In December of 2010, I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from FSU, and completed my TEFL-Teaching English as a Foreign Language- certification at the FSU Center for Intensive English Studies the following spring. The immediate transition from trying to express my ideas in a non-verbal manner to “studying language intensively” may seem incompatible. Truth be told, it was strange to shift from communicating through my art work to focusing on the spoken word. In retrospect, I wouldn’t change a thing. Both experiences are invaluable to...
read moreAnna Castagna’s Fall 2011 Internship at 621 Gallery
Interning at the 621 Gallery this semester has rewarded me with the confidence and skills that are necessary and imperative, in playing an active role in properly running a gallery. My responsibilities included anything from labeling artworks for different exhibitions, helping set up and take down the artwork, gallery sitting on weekends, coming up with kids’ crafts for the Third Saturday events in Railroad Square, photographing various events at 621, and even helping with the expansion of the Nan Boynton Memorial Gallery and the exciting...
read moreKaylee Jacobs’ Fall 2011 Internship at Julie Guyot Studio
This past semester, I had the opportunity to work as an intern for a local ceramic artist. Working for Julie Guyot Studio was one of the best experiences I have had, thus far in my academic career. At the beginning of the semester, we set up a weekly schedule for me to come into the studio and work. Twice a week I would come in for several hours, much like going to a studio class as an art student, and I would help with whatever tasks Julie had laid out for me that day. My duties as an intern varied from week to week, but we did have some...
read moreMax Pederson’s Fall 2011 Internship with Master Craftsman Studios
A chance to assist in studio projects and learn new techniques. There are a plethora of opportunities to learn and experience while at the studio. This ranges from cast mold-making and wood-turning to refinishing and sealing terrazzo. While interning, I learned how to cast, sand and seal stone and wood. Pen Making and wax casting were two of my favorite tasks to do while interning. I also realized how to work in a community of artists and share tools and working space. When working at Master Craftsman, you are required to finish commissioned...
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