JSS Master Class at the Certosa

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July 17 – 31, 2011
July 31 – August 14, 2011
August 14 – 28, 2011
Apply & Register Here

 The JSS Master Class Program is the educational core of the Jerusalem Studio School (JSS). It has distinguished itself as an intensive, incubator-like full-time studio program for the highly motivated and gifted student. It is not only guided by focused, probing instruction and critique grounded in the creative process – in learning for the eye and the hand – it aims to foster the tenacity and independence necessary to work through the diverse complexities artistic endeavors surely require. Work in the Master Class is pursued via the immediacy of experience, through continual practice, engagement with great masterworks and hard uncompromising work. In the Master Class, it is the doing that produces understanding.

The JSS at the Certosa takes the model of this Master Class and plunges it into the sensual root and sap of the western world’s artistic heart. Italy’s art, landscape, architecture, artifacts and light converge into an integrated comprehensive experience of art and life that exists nowhere else. The sheer quality and quantity of it dwarfs all that comprises the Western world’s museums combined. This program nourishes a lifetime.

The Master Class in Italy is under the tutelage of Ken Kewley, Stuart Shils and Israel Hershberg. The 2011 program offers a knock-out line-up of excursions to Naples, the Piero della Francesca Tour of Arezzo, San Sepolcro & Urbino, Rome, Florence, Assisi & Perugia. A few places remain during the 6 week program, available by application process only. REGISTER HERE.

Students can opt to attend for two, four or six weeks of study. Not just a landscape painting program, numerous indoor rooms, loggias and covered spaces are available for working on interiors, still lifes, and figurative work as well as for painting in the evening. Meeting for breakfast, lunch and dinner, together with weekly talks, excursions and art lectures, ensures a constant dynamic exchange of artistic thoughts and impressions.

Master Class Schedule:

Each two week session begins with an intensive workshop led by one of the teachers to encourage focus on certain painting challenges in the landscape over the next two weeks. This structural introduction is reinforced by two full teaching days each week, evening discussions and talks and a weekly group critique led by Israel Hershberg.

Sunday through Wednesday:  

Students in the Master Class are expected to demonstrate commitment and an independent work ethic during their time in the program, out in the field or in one of the various studio spaces, painting subjects of their choosing. Two of the four painting days are accompanied by individual teaching by the faculty making rounds in the field. After dinner meetings with the faculty will include informal slide talks, figure drawing sessions, film excerpts, and student presentations. Each Wednesday, a final, mandatory group critique by Israel Hershberg takes place under the loggia at 12 noon, followed by lunch at 1 pm.

Monday Evenings:  Evening art lectures in Sala Bracci (mandatory)

Wednesday Evening: Group talk the evening before the weekly trip.

Thursdays: Weekly Group Trip

Siena - August 4th, 2011
Piero della Francesca Tour – Arezzo, San Sepolcro, Monterchi, Urbino -  July 28th, 2011
Florence -  July 21st, 2011
Assisi & Perugia -  August 18th, 2011
Rome  - August 11th, 2011
Bologna -  August 25th, 2011

Fridays and Saturdays: Students are free to relax, paint or travel. The Reception at the Certosa is happy to provide you with information on planning excursions to other cities, such as Orvieto, Spoleto, Venice, and Naples.

PRICES (in US$)

The prices below are per person for shared double rooms and full board, except for lunch and dinner on trip days. Group transportation on the trip days is included in the fee. All rooms have windows, linen and towels, telephone and housekeeping services.  For information about the accommodations, please go to the …These are total prices in US dollars, including the registration deposit.  Cost of flight is not included.

2 weeks – $2600
4 weeks – $5200
6 weeks – $7800

Single accommodations with full board are also available at $3400 per two weeks, but please keep in mind that the number of rooms is limited:

2 weeks – $3400
4 weeks – $6800
6 weeks – $10,200

DELUXE ROOMS IN THE VILLA

There are a limited number of rooms available on the second floor of the Certosa overlooking the garden with a view of Siena. All have king-size beds, and thus are suitable for a couple or for single use. They have been furnished with the utmost attention to beauty and comfort and each has its own bathroom. The price includes full board, except on trip days, group transportation for the excursions, and daily housekeeping services.

1 week

Single occupancy – $2000
Couple occupancy – $3000

2 weeks

Single occupancy – $4000
Couple occupancy – $5000