Hellenic International Studies in the Arts
To ensure that students gain the widest possible contextual appreciation of European Art and Culture, HISA has built into its program the Fine Arts Triangle, an academic and artistic journey that takes us from Paros Island to Prague, Czech Republic and on to Paris, France and back. In addition to the Greek island field trips to the classic archaeological and cultural sites in Athens, and the islands of Delos, Santorini, Naxos and Anti-Paros, the ten day excursion to Prague and Paris provides an opportunity for students to discover the rich artistic and cultural environment of these two great cites. Pictured below are just some of the sites and museums we’ll visit, and well as images we may encounter in the galleries and on the art/lecture walks. The study component of the trip is intensive and though mobile, classes and creative work will take place daily, matching those in our Paros Island home base. Included in the standard tuition, is all transportation and accommodation, visits to major museums and sites, guided lecture tours, where appropriate, and a group dinner in each city.
 
PRAGUE click here for PARIS
The beautiful bridges across the River Vltava. Praque Castle's impressive gallery.

Situated on the River Vltava in central Bohemia, Prague has been the political, cultural, and economic centre of the Czech state for over 1100 years. Prague is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and is among the most visited cities on the continent. Since 1992, the historic centre of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, and this "city of a hundred spires" has become one of Europe's most popular destinations. Prague suffered considerably less damage during World War II than some other major cities in the region, allowing most of its historic architecture to stay true to form. It contains one of the world's most pristine and varied collections of architecture, from Art Nouveau to Baroque, Renaissance, Cubist, Gothic, Neo-Classical and Deconstructivism.
Metamorphises Lane. Saint Vitas Cathedral, the seat of the Archbishop of Prague and the place where saints, kings, princes and emperors of Bohemia are buried. Kafka

Some of the sights we’ll visit include the Old Town with its Old Town Square, The Astronomical Clock, The picturesque Charles Bridge, New Town with its busy and historic Wenceslas Square, Prague Castle (the largest castle in the world) with its St. Vitus Cathedral and Josefov (the old Jewish quarter) with Old Jewish Cemetery and Old New Synagogue.
Prague's famous Jewish quarter, one of the most visited historical sites in Europe. The Old Town Square

Beyond well travelled streets, Prague hosts an undiscovered and intriguing contemporary art scene, with experimental theatre and film leading the way, while scores of photo and art galleries line its narrow lanes with the latest works of a wide variety of artists.
PARIS
Paris art photo. Notre Dame by night.

Just as Classical Greece provided the founding energy and brilliance behind much of the art, culture, mythology and even political democracy of our western world, Paris became the crossroads of a literary, film, painting and sculpture revolution that fed life into the emerging arts of the 19th and especially the 20th century. It was in the studios and literary 'salons' of the vibrant left bank that a vanguard developed experimental techniques, and the intellectual, emotional, and philosophical attitudes that reconfigured the arts as they were known.
Pristine sculpture at Orsay Musuem. Picasso in his studio.

Our stay in Paris will include three of the most formidable museums: The Louvre, with its treasures from antiquity to the present, presenting the world's largest and most diverse collection of pre-20th century painting, sculpture, and decorative objects, and of course the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. The Picasso Museum, which features a spectacular collection of Pablo’s works including drawings, sculptures, paintings, ceramics, and engravings, as well as the artist’s private collection of paintings by Cezanne, Braque, and more. The Orsay Museum, housed in an old train terminal, across the street from the Sienne, contains the world's most important collection of impressionist and post-impressionist painting, including major works by Van Gogh, Delacroix, Manet, as well as Degas’s ethereal dancers, Monet’s water Lilies and Gauguin’s exotic images from his stay in the south Pacific.
The Pyramid in front of the Louvre Museum. Matisse, the Dancers.

No worries, for sure we’ll ascend to the top of the Eiffel Tower, explore the Notre Dame Cathedral, and visit the bookshops and galleries in the Latin Quarter.
Rodin's kiss! Gertrude Stein with her collection.

The HISA study abroad experience is designed to extend beyond the classroom and expose students, in an active and experiential manner to the living culture of a nation, as well as that nation’s heritage contained in the art, architecture, social traditions and history of its peoples.
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