Study Abroad: Pont-Aven Program Details

Images of Pont-Aven

Overview

Brown University’s Summer Studio Art Program in Pont-Aven, France is an intensive studio experience for foundation and advanced students at the Pont-Aven School of Contemporary Art, an international fine arts institution located in the historic artists' colony of Pont-Aven, in Brittany, France.The immersion setting and individual attention from faculty make this an ideal opportunity for students concentrating in the Arts. Experience the artists' community of France and enjoy an international experience during Summer 2009. The program is an intensive live work environment that is often a bridge to graduate studies. For all its beauty and history as an art community, Pont-Aven is also an ideal place for critical contemporary dialogues to take place. It offers an abundant source of visual information for students to work from. The ocean, Aven River, fields and nearby pre-historic sites are easily accessed, providing rich references for the studio courses.

Since the 1850s, Pont-Aven has been renowned as an international artist's colony. Paul Gauguin, its best known artist-in-residence, was but one among many. As far as the village itself, Pont-Aven and its population of around 3,000 is located on the Aven River, nine kilometers inland from the south coast of Brittany on the Atlantic Ocean.
The setting offers artists stunning natural beauty, from wide, white sand beaches and dramatic coastal cliffs to rolling green hills marked by ancient stone walls, thatched roofed farmhouses and brilliantly colored flowers. The ancient standing stones of Carnac, remnants of the Druidic past, the stories of Merlin and King Arthur, 16th century granite chapels, Celtic traditions in music, dance, language and legends, and the French joie de vivre all combine to create an inescapable sense of place.

Housing

Students live with host families. These families have worked with US students over a number of years and are identified by our partner and host institution, the Pont-Aven School of Contemporary Art.  All host family accommodation is within walking distance of the studios. Breakfasts and 4 dinners per week will be included in the program. Other meals are not included in the cost of the program – you will have kitchen access to prepare your own meals or you can enjoy the delicious offerings of Brittany. Pont-Aven’s outdoor weekly food market in town has wonderful fresh fruits, vegetables, breads and cheeses. We cannot arrange for housing arrangements prior to or after the program dates.

Student Life

From day one, students are invited to actively participate in Pont-Aven village life with local artists, dancers, musicians, critics and writers. Living as a French resident rather than as a mere tourist encourages a perspective shift from the inside out. This immersive experience allows students and faculty to examine the similarities and differences between world cultures, and how those are manifested in the visual arts.

Dates & Fees

Program Dates: June 9 – July 7, 2010
Program Fee: $8750

Financial Aid

Brown students receiving financial aid during the academic year are eligible for a scholarship grant through the Office of Continuing Education, which will be automatically applied by the Financial Aid Office towards the program cost.

We also encourage students to contact the Financial Aid Office to explore additional forms of aid to supplement the Continuing Education grant. Please visit the Brown Financial Aid website for more detailed information.

Non-Brown students: please speak to your Financial Aid office to determine your financial aid eligibility.

Your program fee includes:

  1. Tuition fee for 2 courses
  2. Homestay housing in Pont-Aven during the program
  3. Breakfasts and 4 dinners per week
  4. Site visits as described in the program description
  5. Airport transfer from Paris to Pont-Aven
  6. Transfer from Pont-Aven to Paris
  7. Hotel accommodation in Paris at the end of the program

Your Program fee does not include:

  1. Air travel to/from Paris
  2. Some studio materials (brushes, canvas, drawing pencils, etc…)
  3. Transfer from Paris hotel to airport
  4. Lunches and some dinners
  5. Items of a personal nature
  6. Site visits not described in the program description
  7. Pre/post-program accommodations