My Study Abroad @ Rietveld Academie

My name is Olivia Noelle Gubser and I am a junior at San Francisco Art Institute  in San Francisco, California. I am studying to recieve my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking.  I am a printmaker with emphasis on designing and printing zines (independently published magazines). I have been studying printmaking for almost six years and I am passionate about this art form. In my time at SFAI, I have been exposed to many techniques and practices of printmaking, I have garnered recognition from my professors and peers for my innovative work, and I have immersed myself in the art scene of San Francisco. I have established a small independent press called Gloomy Press . We are a collective of local San Francisco print artists who have similar aesthetic and we travel to various print fairs to sell our zines.

Check out my artwork here.




I have been accepted and invited to study abroad at Gerrit Rietveld Academie  in Amsterdam, Netherlands for the Fall semester of 2016. This acclaimed school is a hub for the florishing art scene of Amsterdam, which is fueled by a unique and recognizable visual aesthetic fusion of contemporary and post modern art in a city chalk full of rich history. The school itself holds roots in the colorful history of art that is present in the Netherlands, from Van Gogh to Bauhaus. Amsterdam is a crucial part of global art history and on my path to become a working artist. This opportunity to study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime chance.




This studio art program will allow me my own studio space on campus, a one-on-one working relationship with a Gerrit Rietveld art professor, as well as time to explore and learn from the artists in and around Amsterdam. In addition to making tons of art, I intend to travel to cultural and artistic meccas like Berlin, Paris, Copenhagen, and London, and visit galleries and museums, make art connections, sell my zines, and expand my horizons!






That's why I need your help!

I am seeking the support of my family, friends, and community to help me have this amazing opportunity! When I attend school in San Francisco, I am also working to earn an income. While in Amsterdam, I cannot work, which means I can focus entirely on my art and learning, and that is fantastic, but it also means I must get the support of my community to help defray costs. Your support will go to help pay for travel expenses, art and school supplies, museum access, and living expenses. My goal is to crowdfund $5,500 to make this trip possible. I have set up a series of incentives and rewards for those who donate, and I am so appreciative to those who do! My passion and life goal is to become a working, practicing artist, and this is one huge step closer to reaching that goal. I can assure you that this is a great investment in my future and in the future of art!