Blosser to take students to Italy in May

Assistant Editor

This May, three members of the Milligan community are going to Italy for a 10-day, grant-sponsored trip to study frescos.

“I’m very excited to be going,” said senior art minor Dan Clemens. Clemens will join senior art major Jamie Osborne and assistant professor of art NickBlosser to represent Milligan on the trip.

Other participants include eight students and five professors from Virginia Intermont College, Ferrum College and Emory & Henry College.
The trip will allow students to “see the most important frescos in Renaissance Italy, starting with Giotto’s Arena Chapel in Padua and finishing in the breath taking Sistine chapel with Michelangelo and Raphael,” according to the trip’s Web site, www.twoartists.com.

According to Blosser, the students will focus mainly on fresco cycles, or series of frescos. Other curriculum includes presentations and informal lectures.

According to the Web site, the “trip was made possible by the Berger Foundation through the Appalachian Conference Association.” The foundation is paying for most of the travel expenses including food, travel and lodging.

“For participants,” Blosser said, “the trip doesn't cost a thing except a passport.”

Blosser selected Clemens and Osborne to join him on the trip.

“I was looking for a couple of people who I thought were very ready to take advantage of the opportunity in terms of maturity in their art level,” Blosser said. “Because the trip is based on reading and writing in addition to art, I offered it to two people who I thought were quite strongly motivated to read a lot of research.”

Osborne said she looks forward to the trip this spring.

“I’m excited!” Osborne said. “I can't even begin to explain what a blessing this is!”