Dispatches from Italy: Accademia di Belle Arti

Contributor post by Kat of Zero the One


Earlier this month we had a chance to go up Urbino. Dubbed as the “ideal city”, it is an architectural beauty with the most important 15th century building in Italy AND birthplace of Raphael – part of the Renaissance trinity including Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Lucky for us it was the same day the Accademia di Belle Arti (Academy of Fine Arts) opened its doors for everyone to see and explore.


There were live demonstrations, open studios, artists, professors and art-enthusiasts enjoying the creative work propped against walls, on the ceiling, on the floor, dripping from a brush – it was ALIVE. For anyone who ever dreamed of creating the most beautiful things in a beautiful place will swoon at thought of taking up an art course here. I did and I walked all around it, entered all the open rooms and surrendered as painters do on canvas.

Every little work space has its own personality and almost always reflects whoever inhabits it. I like to to imagine the character behind it, whether he or she has brightly colored hair or enjoys some weird hobby like – water polo. Or Chinese checkers.

Learn more about Accademia di Belli Arti at accademiadiurbino.it







Jan Halvarson

3 comments:

Sere said...

Urbino! That's my second hometown! I lived there for 5 years!! That's a great inspiring place..so glad you share this!

Jane said...

What an amazing place and such an inspiration, the students here are so lucky!

Deborah Watkins said...

Such a beautiful city, I went to Italy on my honeymoon over ten years ago and would love to return! This place looks so interesting - wonderful high ceilings and plenty of light. Thanks for posting!