Accademia Riaci Travel Expenses
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I am an artist seeking to develop a sustainable career out of my innate passion. Shock filled me as I read an email from Accademia Riaci last Febuary. Before I continue, let me introduce myself. My name is Abigail Tembreull. I am currently a full time Art and Design student at Finlandia University's International School of Art and Design, located in the rural Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I am focusing on intermedia studies and illustration. My drive for creating visual communication has guided me throughout my life. I see art as both freedom and gritty perseverance. Artists are rewarded by the autonomy which allows free reign over injecting a visual voice about pertinent aspects of society. Art has no boundaries with topics. The ultimate reason I decided to study/pursue art and design is to utilize my skills in a way that will be far reaching and positively moving for the world. Whether I create for environmental and social causes I stand by, become an art educator, a graphic designer, or an illustrator of book content, I desire to make meaningful connections through the platform of art and design.
Last fall, I noticed vibrant posters taped among the walls of the Finlandia Jutila Center. The copy read: Accademia Riaci 2016 International Art and Design Competition. Below the title explained the various categories to enter into, and the potential awards: to study in Florence, free of tuition cost, and to have the winning artwork exhibited in Florence during May 2016.
The competition theme was to present a "Flavor of your Nation." With the semester winding down, and a final open concept project in my Professional Drawing class, I decided to partake in the Accademia Riaci Competition. At the time, in my Art History class, we had been studying ancient Greece, which sparked a connection to the competition theme. With exams almost upon me, I was becoming overwhelmed. The Greek contrapposto stance triggered thoughts about my stressful yet truly enriching college experience. The contrapposto stance, showcased on many Greek marble statues, is described as a counterpose of relaxation and tension. It was considered the ideal way to present the human form. I considered the juxtaposition between contrapposto and college. In the often stressful college environment where students juggle multiple jobs, clubs, and athletics on top of their studies, can they find their contrapposto balance? My dyptic graphite and colored pencil piece revolved around my curiosity on presenting that question. To communicate this line of thought, I realistically rendered myself and my boyfriend in contropposto stances, defined in white marble hues. In my boyfriend's hand I placed a phone, representing the binds technology has placed on our time. In my hand I placed a disposable coffee cup, representing the urgent pace of college, and the need for energy in a packed schedule. After several weeks of producing the drawing and developing a written component, I submitted my project.
Flash forward to last February, I was sitting in the graphic design lab waiting for my class to begin. In my moment of downtime I checked my email. Complete disbelief hit me when I opened the email from Accademia Riaci. It was not a letter to thank my participation, rather it was to inform me that I had placed second in the amateur illustration category. I placed second in my field of study in an International Art and Design competition. This realization was incredibly surreal, but also frightening. Would I be able to afford the trip to Italy, while paying for rent, living expenses, and the remainder of my tuition? I stepped out of the classroom and called my mom, overwhelmed and elated.
In the following months, I managed to ship my artwork to Florence, where it was exhibited in May 2016. I am now committed to studying during the summer of 2017 for a two and a half week intensive course. My second place award covers the cost of tuition for the course. I had the opportunity to choose a semester long period of study, but due to financial constraints I chose the short intensive course. I must come up with funds for my flight, accommodation, course materials, and living expenses for while I am overseas. I have calculated $2,500 will cover those expenses. Any help that can be given to aid in my travel expenses will be immensely appreciated. This trip is a major step for my career in Art and Design. To study amongst international budding artists, where the Renaissance masters once worked, is an incredibly surreal thought. Please help me make it an attainable reality. Your generosity will help me towards my ultimate career goal to touch the world in a meaningful way through my art and design passion. Thank you.
See the following link for more information about Accademia Riaci and the International competition I participated in. The link below it leads to my personal art page.
http://www.accademiariaci.info/comp2017/
https://www.facebook.com/gaileoart/
Last fall, I noticed vibrant posters taped among the walls of the Finlandia Jutila Center. The copy read: Accademia Riaci 2016 International Art and Design Competition. Below the title explained the various categories to enter into, and the potential awards: to study in Florence, free of tuition cost, and to have the winning artwork exhibited in Florence during May 2016.
The competition theme was to present a "Flavor of your Nation." With the semester winding down, and a final open concept project in my Professional Drawing class, I decided to partake in the Accademia Riaci Competition. At the time, in my Art History class, we had been studying ancient Greece, which sparked a connection to the competition theme. With exams almost upon me, I was becoming overwhelmed. The Greek contrapposto stance triggered thoughts about my stressful yet truly enriching college experience. The contrapposto stance, showcased on many Greek marble statues, is described as a counterpose of relaxation and tension. It was considered the ideal way to present the human form. I considered the juxtaposition between contrapposto and college. In the often stressful college environment where students juggle multiple jobs, clubs, and athletics on top of their studies, can they find their contrapposto balance? My dyptic graphite and colored pencil piece revolved around my curiosity on presenting that question. To communicate this line of thought, I realistically rendered myself and my boyfriend in contropposto stances, defined in white marble hues. In my boyfriend's hand I placed a phone, representing the binds technology has placed on our time. In my hand I placed a disposable coffee cup, representing the urgent pace of college, and the need for energy in a packed schedule. After several weeks of producing the drawing and developing a written component, I submitted my project.
Flash forward to last February, I was sitting in the graphic design lab waiting for my class to begin. In my moment of downtime I checked my email. Complete disbelief hit me when I opened the email from Accademia Riaci. It was not a letter to thank my participation, rather it was to inform me that I had placed second in the amateur illustration category. I placed second in my field of study in an International Art and Design competition. This realization was incredibly surreal, but also frightening. Would I be able to afford the trip to Italy, while paying for rent, living expenses, and the remainder of my tuition? I stepped out of the classroom and called my mom, overwhelmed and elated.
In the following months, I managed to ship my artwork to Florence, where it was exhibited in May 2016. I am now committed to studying during the summer of 2017 for a two and a half week intensive course. My second place award covers the cost of tuition for the course. I had the opportunity to choose a semester long period of study, but due to financial constraints I chose the short intensive course. I must come up with funds for my flight, accommodation, course materials, and living expenses for while I am overseas. I have calculated $2,500 will cover those expenses. Any help that can be given to aid in my travel expenses will be immensely appreciated. This trip is a major step for my career in Art and Design. To study amongst international budding artists, where the Renaissance masters once worked, is an incredibly surreal thought. Please help me make it an attainable reality. Your generosity will help me towards my ultimate career goal to touch the world in a meaningful way through my art and design passion. Thank you.
See the following link for more information about Accademia Riaci and the International competition I participated in. The link below it leads to my personal art page.
http://www.accademiariaci.info/comp2017/
https://www.facebook.com/gaileoart/
Organizer
Abigail Tembreull
Organizer
Hancock, MI
