Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia studies abroad program in Cortona, Italy will complete festivities celebrating its 40th anniversary with a show of works by Lamar Dodd School of Art faculty who have taught in the program since its inception in 1970. The Gallery at the Chastain Arts Center in Atlanta will host the exhibition, Professori di Cortona, Jan. 16 – Feb. 27. The opening reception on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. is free and the public is invited to attend.
Among the oldest study abroad programs at UGA, the Cortona program has educated generations of students within the Old World confines of Tuscany. The comprehensive curriculum blends studio art or art history with first-hand introductions to Italian language and culture. UGA’s 4.5-acre campus offers instruction to UGA students as well as those from many institutions across the U.S.
“Well over half of our art school faculty has taught in Cortona, many of whom return time and again and have made Cortona their second home,” said Rick Johnson, director of the program. “As I live there seven months out of the year, I feel truly blessed to live, work on my art, and teach in this magnificent environment.”
The exhibition will include works by Jim Barness, Scott Belville, Kinzey Branham, R.G. Brown, Jim Buonaccorsi, Didi Dunphy, Mary Engle, Tad Gloeckler, Ian Hagarty, Melissa Harshman, Carole Henry, Christopher Hocking, Thom Houser, Rob Jackson, Rick Johnson, Jack Kehoe, Mary Ruth Moore, Margaret Morrison, Alex Murawski, Mary Hallam Pearse, Ben Reynolds, Chris Robinson, Frank Saggus, Zuzka Vaclavik, Eileen Wallace, Lanny Webb, Jeffrey Whittle, Gene Wright and Sunkoo Yuh.
The Gallery at Chastain Arts Center is a facility of the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs and is located at 135 W. Wieuca Road NW. For more information on the gallery, see http://www.ocaatlanta.com/. For more information on the UGA Cortona program, see http://art.uga.edu/cortona/.
