Master Class

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 in Civita 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 Israel Hershberg. Additional faculty this year are Yael Scalia and our 2012 JSS Master Class Guest of Honor E.M. Saniga. An interview with E.M. Saniga can be found here. The program offers a knock-out line-up of excursions: the Piero della Francesca Tour of Arezzo, San Sepolcro & Urbino, Naples, Rome, Florence, and Bologna. At this moment a trip to Naples is being planned. 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, studio spaces are available at the local art school for still lifes, and figurative work as well as for painting after daylight hours. 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:

Students in the Master Class are expected to demonstrate commitment and an independent work ethic during their time in the program whether out in the landscape or in one of the various studio spaces, painting subjects of their choosing. Master Class faculty will be making rounds four mornings a week with at least two weekly mid-day critiques. After dinner meetings with the Master Class faculty or Affiliate Group teachers will include informal slide talks, figure drawing sessions, film excerpts, and student presentations.

Monday Evenings: Evening art lectures with guest artists – TBA

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

Thursdays: Weekly Group Trip (The dates of the trips mentioned above TBA)

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