APDesign Italian Studies Program
APDesign education abroad students exhibit at Italian Embassy
The work of current and former Kansas State University graduate students in the College of Architecture, Planning & Design, APDesign, who participated in the Education Abroad program in Orvieto, Italy, is displayed in the "Return from Italy" exhibit at the Italian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
The work chosen for the exhibit was made by students studying in Orvieto, spring 2017 from two courses during the study semester: an interdisciplinary design studio and a drawing seminar. The interdisciplinary design studio in Orvieto was led by Vibhahari Jani, associate professor of interior architecture & product design, and Katie Kingery-Page, associate professor of landscape architecture and regional & community planning. The drawing seminar was led by Kingery-Page.
All the works are made by hand, using locally available fine art papers, inks and natural pigments. Drawing by hand with the use of natural pigments allowed the students to experience the pride of craft in the handmade that is characteristic of Orvieto. Students augmented their formal studies and field visits across Italy with extensive workshops led by local Umbrian producers of regional foods, leather goods, and other artisan products.
"K-State Italian studies in Orvieto is honored to be included in the Italian Embassy in Washington D.C. 'Return from Italy' exhibit 2019," said Lynn Ewanow, associate dean and director of APDesign international programs and Serena Croce, Italian studies director in Italy. "The questions posed in the exhibit brief frame the significance of immersive study abroad in Italy. Our APDesign students' work reflects the influence of Italian architecture, urban history, landscape, agronomic and culinary culture, design across scales, and the joy in rituals and pleasures of everyday Italian life."
The APDesign Italian studies program has been in Italy since 1991 and in Orvieto, Umbria since 2006. The Italian studies program is an interdisciplinary program serving K-State graduate students from departments of architecture, interior architecture & product design, landscape architecture and regional & community planning. The program has sent more than 500 students and 28 faculty members in 13 years to Orvieto for semesterlong study.
