Text by Michelle Tarnopolsky. Photos by Francesco Guazzelli.
Syracuse Florence studio art students capped off their spring semester with a once-in-a-lifetime event: to have their work critiqued by world-renowned multi-disciplinary artist Carrie Mae Weems.
Weems is currently Artist in Residence at Syracuse University and came to Italy to participate in the Black Portraitures conference being held during the opening weekend of the 60th Venice Biennale, arguably the world’s top showcase for contemporary art.
Weems stopped in Florence first to pay a special visit to our art studios in Piazza Donatello before presenting her work to a rapt audience in the Villa Rossa.
“She reviewed our students’ works and shared her thoughts and her own works in a very touching and powerful lecture,” said Syracuse Florence Director Sasha Perugini. “I got teary during her lecture. She emanates a powerful energy and I am so grateful that the students had this unique learning opportunity.”
Weems’ talk was introduced by Justin Randolph Thompson, co-founder of The Recovery Plan research center and exhibition space in Florence and longtime host for our student interns.
Thompson and Syracuse Florence Professor Jonathan Nelson joined Weems for the Venice conference where they presented on “radical curricula” about incorporating Black history and culture in academia.
As part of his talk, Professor Nelson mentioned a project by art history student Madeline Goewey, who created a map for scholars identifying all the Black figures depicted in the Uffizi Museum as part of her internship with The Recovery Plan.
Also joining them in Venice was a lucky group of 14 Syracuse Florence art students accompanied by Painting Professor Jamie Morris and Director Perugini. This incredible opportunity was gifted by Syracuse University, with invaluable guidance by Associate Provosts Marcelle Haddix and Miranda Traudt.
See our Flickr page for more photos of Carrie Mae Weems’ critique and talk at Syracuse Florence.