 2011 TRAVEL STUDY GUIDE
Learning French, Living the Adventure Your guide to studying the French language, arts, and cuisine |
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 © djembejambo - Fotolia.com TIPS FOR ART PROGRAMS ✔ Ask about any materials you need to bring. Not all schools provide supplies.
HOW TO CHOOSE A PROGRAM Choosing an Art SchoolWant to learn French by embarking on a road less-traveled? Is your inner Rodin or Cézanne dying to break through? Consider taking an art or handcraft course. Art schools have begun to emerge as an alternative immersion experience to traditional study abroad. In addition to painting and drawing, some of France’s highly skilled artisans offer courses to the general public. Improve your French and pick up some French savoir-faire along the way! Woodturning - Limousin (see listing) 
Yann Marot at his lathe Yann Marot is a tourneur sur bois, an artisan woodturner working in the hamlet of Aubepierre, north of Limoges, in the Limousin region of central France (see Fabulous French Artisans, France Today December 2010). Passionate about his craft and delighted to pass along his knowledge to others, Marot offers basic one-day classes or five-day courses for individuals or small groups of two or three, as well as multiple weeks of higher-level training for both amateurs and apprentice professionals. “I make it a point to have no more than three people in each class,” he says, “because otherwise there is no way to give everyone full attention.” The classes are full-day, with breaks for a communal lunch; Marot supplies all the gear, tools and wood, and students take home their handiwork. Woodturning is not particularly dangerous, Marot adds, and both men and women are welcome. Marot speaks English, so translation is not necessary. Telephone or e-mail for class dates. One-day class €120, five-day course €560. 39 lieu-dit Aubepierre, Azerables, 05.55.63.02.14. y.marot@free.fr, www.yannmarot.com - Judy Fayard 
© Augustin Detienne Jean-Pierre Baquère à la flamme Glassmaking – Ile-de-France Jean-Pierre Baquère describes himself as a verrier de la flame—“it sounds so much more poetic than glassblower,” he says. (See Artisans Extraordinaires, France Today December 2009). He inherited his love for glassmaking from his parents—his father worked for the French cristallerie Baccarat and his mother created handmade glass flowers for Paris couture houses. Baquère’s own artworks include the replica of a Louis XIII glass service for Dior and limited-edition perfume flacons for Caron. The prizewinning glassblower, named a Maître d’Art by the French Ministry of Culture, organizes regular classes, open to both professionals and the general public, in his workshop in the northwestern Paris suburb of Colombes. Classes can be arranged for one day, two days, 3–5 days or even once a week over a period of months. All materials and equipment are furnished, and even beginners can learn to make glass beads, figurines and blown glass objects. Classes are normally in French, but Baquère also speaks English. One-day class €125; prices vary for longer courses. 5 rue Bouin, Colombes, 01.47.86.09.49 or 06.79.16.17.58. www.idverre.net/baquere - J.F. Le Poyenval – Pays de la Loire (see listing) If learning the language is your top priority but you would like to add some color to your séjour, try finding a language program that offers art classes as well as grammar instruction, such as Le Poyenval's "Parler & Paint" course, where art instructors weave French grammar and pronunciation into the lesson and tailor the class to the linguistic needs of the students. You'll improve your French no matter what level you're at and have fun making art at the same time. 66 Rue Georges Clémenceau, Bazoges-en-Pareds, 02.51.51.26.85. www.lepoyenval.com Phil Levine Workshops – Various locations (see listing) If you are looking for a more laid back experience where you can focus primarily on your art while gaining exposure to French, a workshop that mainly caters to international students might be the solution. At workshops offered by Phil Levine in several different locations per year, students stay in housing arranged through the program. Enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow students and instructors, and absorb French language and culture while you capture the French scenery on your canvas. This type of program might require more effort on your part if you want to make a lot of progress in French, however, since the schools act as intermediaries and don't force you to speak with the locals. To get the most out of your stay, be proactive and speak in French as much as possible. 2011 workshops will take place in Burgundy and Quimper in June and September. 212.414.8875. www.paintingfrance.com. -C.L. Atelier Saint Fargeau – Paris (see listing) Are you looking for something with flexibility? Would you rather commit to a course for just a day so you can experiment? Consider an option like the Atelier Saint Fargeau in Paris. Located in the 20th arrondissement, where many professional artists live and work, the atelier offers day classes and trimester-long courses to artists of all ages and levels. Paint, draw or sculpt from live models or still-life as you enjoy total immersion. You'll definitely meet locals in this type of program, though you won't get the same type of linguistic support as you would in a dedicated language program. 6 rue St Fargeau, Paris, 01.43.61.11.21. www.ateliersaintfargeau.com . -C.L. |
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