Coordinated by the Staples Visual Arts Program, 35 students and six teachers spent April break on a 12-day artistic and cultural exploration of Italy and France. The journey focused on visual arts, offering students a remarkable opportunity to delve into the rich artistic legacy of Europe.

The itinerary featured visits to renowned art museums such as the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries in Florence, the Guggenheim Museum in Venice, and the Musée d'Orsay and Louvre in Paris. In addition to museum tours, students engaged in hands-on workshops, including a captivating fresco art session in Florence and an inspiring impressionist painting class in Paris. Here, they had the chance to channel their creativity and produce their own artworks inspired by the masters.

Beyond museum walls, the trip encompassed guided tours of historic landmarks like the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, Vatican City, and St. Mark's Square. Students immersed themselves in local culture, enjoying gondola rides in Venice and exploring the enchanting streets of Burano, Florence, and Paris.

Steve Zimmerman, Staples coordinator of Music and Visual Arts, reflected on the journey, noting, "This trip offered our students a rare opportunity to deepen their understanding and appreciation of art and culture. By experiencing these iconic masterpieces firsthand, students gained insight into the intricacies of scale, texture, color, and more." He emphasized how the trip not only enriched students' understanding of art and history but also provided invaluable personal growth as they navigated new environments, formed new connections, and created enduring memories.