Ceramic Study Abroad Info Sessions

In-person info session: Tuesday, Feb 3, 12:00-1:00pm, Rm. 231, DePillars Building, 1000 W. Broad

Online info session: Thursday, Feb 5, 5:30-6:30pm, https://vcu.zoom.us/j/82736815884

Learn more at next week’s info sessions about studying abroad this summer in Florence, Italy, May 19-June 20, 2026 with the department of Craft/Material Studies, in collaboration with Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA). The month-long program is a deep immersion into Tuscan life and ceramics. You won’t just study in the studio; you’ll spend a month being an active part of the city, discovering something new around every corner—be it a picturesque winding alley, a centuries-old church, or a local trattoria. The program blends dedicated ceramics practice with a profound cultural exploration of Florence. 6 CRAF 391 credits, open to all VCU students. Program fee: $5,075. Priority application date: Feb 16, 2026

Program brochure and application link: https://vcu.studioabroad.com/_portal/tds-program-brochure?programid=11760

Questions? Contact faculty program leader: Elissa Armstrong, Associate Professor, ecarmstrong@vcu.edu or Julia Wells, Global Education Office specialist,  wellsj7@vcu.edu

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Note this program includes two, 3 credit courses and will be capped at 12 students: CRAF 391: Florence Ceramics Studio & CRAF 391: Fieldwork in Florence (total: 6 transfer credits)

Course Descriptions:

CRAF 391: Florence Ceramics Studio: majolica and earthenware (3 credits), instructor: Elissa Armstrong. Held in the historic heart of Florence, Italy, the birthplace of Italian Renaissance majolica, this hands-on ceramic studio course introduces students to the fundamentals of this historic glaze and surface decoration technique. Throughout the course students will investigate the vibrant color palettes, forms, and decorative imagery of historical Florentine majolica, as well as conduct a range of studio material tests and guided research. Using this research—and their direct experiences in the city as a source of inspiration—students will create a series of contemporary hand-built earthenware majolica pieces. The course balances technical skill-building with conceptual development, challenging students to connect historical precedents with contemporary studio applications.

CRAF 391: Fieldwork in Florence: Exploring the city through ceramics and culture (3 credits), Instructor: Elissa Armstrong. This on-site research course immerses students in the culture of Florence, utilizing the city’s historical art and material culture as a direct and tangible source of inspiration for their ceramic studio practices. Students will explore the city and local region through class museum and site visits, architectural explorations and personal research, with a specific focus on the tradition of Italian majolica. Maintaining a dedicated research sketchbook throughout the course, students will document their observations through detailed notes, and sketches, recording their experiences in the city. This observational research is both a comprehensive record of artwork, architecture, and cultural immersion, and a vital source of research and inspiration for students’ ceramic studio work.

Eligibility

This program is only open to VCU students.

The program fee is $5,075 and includes the following: