RIALTO MARKET

Tuesday June 7


Today, a 30 minute walk into the heart of Venice to the famous Realto bridge & then on to the daily open-air market.

dreamy

I don't even have to hear them speak, they just look so cool & Italian

amazing selection of produce

love

so far my favorite bakery/pastry shoppe... minis of everything. When I speak of

over-indulging, this is where it happens.

Monday June 6

We began with a short introduction to the Venice portion of the project, conducted by the one and only Louise Fili – a beyond wonderfully talented designer that I have admired for as long as I can remember. Elegant in her demeanor & classically whimsical in her designs. è così bella!

We began our first Venetian journey to Gianni Basso's letterpress print shop. Winding through the crevices they call streets, we met Gianni and his apprentice son in their tiny shop. Gianni, a kind sole with a giant smile from ear to ear, so gracious and so proud to have us in and show us around his centuries-old printing machines, alphabets and stacks of stationary, business cards, type specimens and beyond. 30+ years of work and a timeless style he's done work for the likes of Joan Rivers, Paul Rand, AND I even managed to find a University of Kansas business card he was re-designing... The world needs more Gianni's. 

From there we walked to the nearest gelateria along the water and shared ideas for our project... guess what, I'm doing mine centered around food. Go figure. 

Gianni's studio – curiosities everywhere

the man. the myth. the legend. Gianni.

details

details

...and more details

couldn't leave Venice without a cat photo

Zaynep and Brynly

A SURREAL SUNDAY MORNING

Sunday June 5

View from the boat taxi, on my way into my port in Venice

Immediately left hotel upon my arrival to go wandering... 

ran into a vintage/antique sale

love the architecture here

uncanny shot

my gelateria

Our classroom, well, one half of it. Some of my classmates. 

We're also being documented by local Italian art students. 

Kind of feel a little famous... but not. 

View from the other side of the classroom. Amazing. So surreal.

and of course, the food!

As I'm very sure you've noticed, I've done a poor poor job of keeping up with this... Can you blame me? We really have very little time in front of the computer and when we are, we're designing. I will do my best keeping things in order. May get a few days at once when I have a spurt of time...

Sunday I arrived in Venice. Took a boat taxi from the hotel where I was staying to Zattare; a lovely stop about 90 minutes along the way. The people here know enough english for me to get by, however I’m finding I’m learning very quickly. The phrase of the day Sunday was: dov’è______ (where is ______). 

As I arrived at my hotel, Belle Arti, there was a hand-written note waiting for me. Quite lovely. Flet as if I was on a secret adventure. “...meet in the hotel garden and we will walk to the San Gregorio...” I had 2 hours to waste before orientation. I immediately dropped my luggage and bolted out the door – beyond excited to start exploring this curious city. A veggie panino and some chocolate mint gelato were what awaited me. That, and a  street sale – as in the authentic, Italian-antique market.  

Time was running out, so I scurried back. Believe it or not, I was gone the whole 2 hours, wandering & winding through the streets amlessly by myself. I doubt you’d believe me if I told you, but I didn’t get lost. Found my way back without a stutter. Psh, I was made for this city.

Met the group & they are all wonderful. All ages from all over the world; Canada, New Zealand, Turkey... Surprisingly very few from NYC (where the school is based). Did an introduction, drank Prosecco & ate all the fabulous food you see photographed above. Not a bad orientation if you ask me. Now, why didn't they do this for undergrad?

Ciao, Ciao!

I THINK I MIGHT BE IN HEAVEN

Good morning Italy, 


Thank you for being so picturesque, for making amazing coffee and serving steamed milk instead of ice cold cream that's being sitting out for hours. While your scrambled eggs at the continental breakfast were sitting in a pool of water (or maybe it was EVO–god I hope so), they still managed to be some of the most delicious things I've ever had. Thanks for serving sauteed veggies on the side with your eggs, for making tiny chocolate croissants so I wouldn't feel guilty. Thank you for literally having some of the the best, most ripe & flavorful fruit I think I've ever had. Your colors were amazing.


Now, I go explore you. Meet the group I'll be traveling with for the next few weeks and embark on a remarkable journey. I had fun, just you and me. 


All de best.

FROM KANSAS TO VENICE

Roma Termini

roaming - just outside of Roma Termini

Roma Termini

treno from Roma to Venezia

treno from Roma to Venezia

Some fine Italian behind.

One of the stops along the way. Pretty sure this guy was posing for me. 

The journey begins traveling solo from KC to Venice:

Friday 05:30 wake up prepare to head out. 07:50 flight departs KCI. 11:30 arrive in Dulles (Washington DC). 17:30 depart Dulles and head to Rome. Saturday 08:30 arrive in Rome. Go through customs, exchange money for euros, pick-up bag. Train from Fiumicino Aeroporti to Roma Termini to Venezia S. Lucia. Bus from Venezia to Venizia Aeroporti to catch shuttle to final destination, Marriott.

I made it, le sigh, completely and utterly exhausted. Only saw one attempted robbery along the way (not me) – damn Roma gypsy children.

2 Peronis and a sopressa panino were all I needed before I had some of the best sleep EVER.

and so the story begins...

A lot of you may be wondering how the heck I ended up in Venice of all places. Well, it's rooted in my traditional random ways – While reading through a blog post of one of the sites I frequent, Print magazines The Daily Heller, I see an ad on the side for an Italy workshop/masters study abroad program. It sounded beyond incredible... On a whim, I apply. What have I got to loose? I doubt I'll be accepted, but heck I'd punch myself if I didn't at least give it a whirl. Later that same day I receive a phone call from the program director, "we'd love to see your portfolio and set up a phone interview with Lita Talarico (chairperson & co-founder of the program)". I'll spare you all the unnecessary details, but I guess Lita and I hit it off. Next thing you know I've been accepted into the NYC School of Visual Arts, Masters Workshop.

So here I am. Venice. Wow. I did it, and to be honest can't quite believe it. I've been here for a day already and it still hasn't completely sunk in. I will be working with some of the most acclaimed designers. People I used to read about when I was in school. In fact, designers I still look up to today.

Ready. Set. Go. Begin major life adventure now.