Colby-Sawyer rising seniors Jackson Musial, Andre Garcia and Yume Nakayama participated in the Florence School of Fine Arts summer program and explored Italy during their monthlong stay. 

The trio studied art history, Italian culture and visual arts in the Renaissance city known for its architecture, museums, cobblestone streets, landscapes and culinary delights. 

Musial and Garcia also interned with interdisciplinary artist Charles LoVerme at FSFA and created an Instagram account (CSC_art.and.design) to document their experiences and those of other Colby-Sawyer art and design students. 

Musial, a self-designed major in visual communication and marketing with an entrepreneurship minor, said Florence exceeded his expectations. He said it was amazing to be immersed in the historic city and the welcoming European country. 

“I went into the experience expecting to taste the incredible food and see many iconic artworks and historical sites,” said Musial, an alpine skier and the college's 2025 Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. “However, learning the Italian culture was by far my favorite part.” 

Colby-Sawyer Professor Jon Keenan, who has been working with FSFA and sending CSC students there for about 20 years, supported the cohort. He also returned the final pieces on loan for the recent exhibit, The FSFA + CSC Art Project, in the William H. and Sonja Carlson Davidow '56 Fine Art Gallery. 

“The Florence School of Fine Arts provides a high-quality art and humanities education while taking full advantage of the historic city of Florence as a ‘laboratory classroom’ and the birthplace of the modern world,” he said.  

“Our students, regardless of their major, love the school and return to CSC inspired and forever transformed from an immersive cultural experience in Florence and Italy.” 

During the students’ first week, Keenan, a visiting research professor in Italian art history and ceramics at FSFA, took the group out for pizza in Florence. From left are Andre Garcia, Yume Nakayama, Keenan and Jackson Musial. PHOTO COURTESY OF JON KEENAN 

 

Below are several photographs that Musial and Garcia, a self-designed major in international art business and marketing from Mexico City, took during the program. 

The Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) from the Piazzale Michelangelo, the pinnacle of Florence. JACKSON MUSIAL 

 

The Colosseum as seen during a nighttime walk in Rome after a dinner of handmade pici pasta at a local restaurant. JACKSON MUSIAL 

 

The art history class visited the Uffizi Galleries and saw many famous works, including The Birth of Venus, Spring (or Primavera) and (pictured) Medusa (Caravaggio). JACKSON MUSIAL 

 

Charles Loverme, photography professor, explains to Musial how to properly trim and store self-developed film. JACKSON MUSIAL 

 

Jackson Musial, of North Conway, New Hampshire, and Yume Nakayama, of Japan, at school in Florence. ANDRE GARCIA 

 

 

Michelangelo’s David in the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. JACKSON MUSIAL 

 

The Ponte Vecchio — a medieval stone arch bridge over the Arno River in Florence. ANDRE GARCIA 

 

During a weekend trip to Venice, the trio enjoyed incredible food and explored narrow alleys and public transportation by boat. JACKSON MUSIAL 

 

The Vatican Museums in Vatican City preserve art collected by popes since the 17th century. ANDRE GARCIA 

 

Piazza Del Campo in Siena. ANDRE GARCIA 

 

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, a freestanding bell tower that tilts more than five degrees, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. ANDRE GARCIA 

 

The class walked to the Piazzale Michelangelo for one last sunset in Florence before returning home. JACKSON MUSIAL