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Santa Reparata was founded in 1970 as the Santa Reparata Graphic Art Centre by Dennis Olsen, Giuseppe Gattuso and Michael Schnorr, three artists who wished to provide a professional workshop for professional printmakers and students. Within a year there were students from various parts of Europe and North America, contract printing for local artists, and open studio space available for professionals in need of a sympathetic workspace for creating prints. At the same time the workshop became a resource for several American colleges who sent instructor-led groups to study during the summer months. 

Though modest in size by today’s standards the Centre attracted an impressive array of artists, many of whom are well known both nationally and internationally. Over the years Santa Reparata provided workspace and contract printing for Antonio, Zavier and Raffaele Bueno, Sandro Chia, Renato Ranaldi, Giovanni Ragusa,  James McGarrell, and many others. 


By the end of the 1990’s the student population had outgrown the studio and the “Graphic Art Centre” was transformed into the Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA) with moves to much larger facilities, first in 2000 and finally in 2008 to its present location on Via San Gallo 53r. The school increased its academic year and summer offerings to include the numerous areas that now comprise a much broader curriculum of Studio Arts (painting, drawing, photography, book arts, printmaking), Liberal Arts (art history, history, museum studies, cinema, literature, Italian language), and Design (fashion, textiles, jewelry and graphic design). The San Gallo studios and classrooms are now among the finest in Italy, and the list of schools that have worked directly with SRISA now numbers over 40 with summer enrollment that can reach over 300. 

In spite of those numbers SRISA remains a place congenial to both professional artists/teachers, and the students who want a personalized and friendly atmosphere in which to enjoy the tremendous cultural resource that is Florence, Italy. With its 40 year history SRISA has become a part of the cultural fabric of the city, with regular exhibitions, service projects, and continued strong ties to the artistic community of Florence.

HISTORY

Santa Reparata International School of Art, SRISA - Via San Gallo, 53r Florence Italy, info@santareparata.org
Copyright (c) 2010

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