Submitted by Ryann Mitchell on the 2019 summer session program in Italy sponsored by the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences…
Coming to Italy, I didn’t have any specific expectations or goals to achieve. I wanted to come here with an open mind and say yes to new opportunities and experiences. So far, I’ve absolutely loved my time on this program. After spending our first day in Rome, we’ve spent a week in Florence to explore attractions such as the Accademia and the Uffizi Gallery. Being able to explore artwork in these galleries has opened my eyes to a new appreciation for both the artists that have created the work as well as the art conservationists that have preserved it for so long. Another great experience has been applying the lessons from class directly to the artwork we’ve been seeing on the program. Through the Psychology of the Arts course, I’ve learned about the different strategies of depth and form perception that have been used in artwork throughout history, and was able to see those examples through the pieces we saw in the Florence galleries. I can’t wait to see what the next two weeks bring as we return to Rome, and look forward to the wonderful experience of getting to explore another new city.