Department of Art History and Studio Art

Studio Art Facilities

Studio Art courses at John Cabot University are taught in the studios in the Sacchetti Building on Largo dei Fiorentini, located a 10-minute walk from the Guarini Campus. Students are introduced to film and digital photography, graphic design, figure drawing, painting, and fresco painting. All Studio Art courses emphasize manual techniques, visual perception, and historical and theoretical aspects of art making.

  • Largo dei Fiorentini Studio Art Facilities
  • Largo dei Fiorentini iMac Lab
  • Largo dei Fiorentini Photography Room
  • Largo dei Fiorentini Art Room
  • Largo dei Fiorentini Darkroom
  • Largo dei Fiorentini Computer Lab

The studio's facilities are divided into two wings, the painting/drawing wing and the photography/graphic design wing.
Painting and figure drawing classes are held in the main drawing and painting studio, 16' x 32' in size and equipped with easels and wooden drawing boards. There is also a smaller 15' x 15' studio that is used exclusively for fresco painting. Another small corner room (16' x 14') is used as an auxiliary space for drawing and painting.

The studio's photography/graphic design wing instead consists of the iMac lab, 14' x 30', equipped with 17 iMacs with Adobe software including Photoshop, and a smaller 19' x 11' classroom with one iMac. Both rooms feature digital projection equipment. Photography students have access to a darkroom (13' x 14') with five enlargers, and a smaller room used to store equipment and indoor shooting.

Students take great satisfaction in the final student art exhibition, which takes place at Largo dei Fiorentini at the end of each semester. These exhibitions allow the JCU community to see a selection of the work done over the semester in a festive atmosphere, where a profusion of images animates the computer screens, and photos, drawing, oil paintings and frescoes cover the walls.

Painting and Drawing

Professor Peter Flaccus, who holds figure drawing classes and painting classes, thinks that "students who imagine a relaxing course are in for a surprise! The activity here is very intense and focused, as it takes a lot of energy for students to change the way they see and think. But by the end of the course, nearly everyone has made something that they would not have been able to imagine when they first started."

Fresco Painting

Speaking about his Fresco Painting course, Professor William Pettit says, "We visit important examples of fresco painting which are within walking distance of the art studio. Then, using this technique, known from antiquity and perfected during the Renaissance, each student takes a small section of the studio wall and prepares a fresh plaster ground on which to execute a part of a coordinated decorative scheme."

Graphic Design

Professor Sabrina Schmidt's graphic design students are often invited to create solutions to real-world problems, and have contributed to the university's public image. Professor Schmidt says, "Students get acquainted with the basic principles of design and learn how to use state-of-the-art graphics software. The course provides them with insight into the work of the world's most renowned graphic designers and gives practical tips on how to interact successfully with clients and suppliers alike."