By Lauren Scott, junior studio art and communication major
This February, eight of my classmates and I ventured on an incredible journey overseas. We traveled with the McMurry Art Department across Italy, experiencing its unique history, cuisine, and culture. This was my first trip overseas, and all I can say is: Take me back!
Our first destination was Florence, Italy, where we spent six nights. After a tight-fitting taxi ride from the airport to our hotel, we dropped off our luggage, shook off the jet lag, and took to the beautiful streets of Florence. The squares were busy, the people were exciting, and the gelato was delicious (as I would continue to discover). Immediately, I was struck by the richness of the city. Each stone, brick, and arch was packed with visual history and intention. As the locals bustled around the streets, I wandered in silent marvel, trying to conceal my awe.
We visited an outdoor statue garden — where I may have gotten in trouble for sketching in charcoal (whoops) — and eventually made our way to the breathtaking Duomo di Firenze, the Florence Cathedral. The moment it came into view, I was utterly awestruck. We spent time admiring its intricate beauty, and as the sun began to set, we enjoyed dinner at a pizzeria next to the cathedral.
Afterward, we returned to our hotel to wind down and reflect on the day. As part of our class assignments, we were expected to keep a journal, filling it with writing, sketches, and little mementos that captured our experiences. I ended the evening with my lovely roommate (my mom), trading stories and laughter as we recounted the day’s adventures.
The next morning, we traveled to Viareggio to experience Carnevale! We met with McMurry alumna, Logan Shary, who took us on an immersive city tour. She talked about the history of Carnevale, the associated mascot, and the performance she would be a part of later that night at the parade. After our tour, she took us to a restaurant on the beach, where we enjoyed seafood, pasta, and of course, gelato. Once we had finished our lunch, I went with Shary to her house and watched her prepare for Carnevale. She gave us a tour of her studio and then went inside to get ready. Shary adorned herself with beautiful face paint, an intricate headdress, and a flowing cloak as she shared her journey through art, studying abroad, and ultimately choosing to move to Italy. Her story was truly inspiring, especially as a fellow artist and student at McMurry. Her testimony filled me with an excitement to create, a deep gratitude for the university that supported both her and me, and a hopeful vision of making art a permanent part of my life.
As the night continued, Shary parted ways with us to join her parade group, and we got to sit back and experience the incredible celebration of Carnevale. There were floats as big as buildings, dancers filling the streets, and puppeteers controlling the beautiful moving art. The night was long and exhausting, but the experience was unforgettable!
We continued the week exploring Italy’s rich atmosphere. We visited the Uffizi gallery, saw Michelangelo’s David in the Galleria dell’Accademia, and even participated in a pasta-making workshop!
Each experience left me buzzing with creativity. I felt a deep desire to create art that could one day be remembered for centuries. I know — it’s an ambitious dream after just a few days of travel — but the inspiration was genuine, and McMurry made it all possible.
Throughout the trip, we also had to stay on top of our assignments, which helped balance the excitement of travel with the structure of learning. My 2D Studies and Photography classes required me to observe, create, and reflect on my surroundings through a visual lens. Whether sketching in a plaza or capturing the perfect light in a photo, our coursework was directly tied to our environment. It shaped our daily plans, influencing where we went and how long we stayed, as we constantly sought inspiration and content for our projects.
However, one of my favorite experiences was climbing the Duomo di Firenze. It was a 1,000-step journey to the cathedral’s dome that overlooks the city. The view was breathtaking, clouds rolled over the tops of buildings, the sun glistened over the hills, and my heart exploded with gratitude and admiration for this opportunity.
Like all good things, our stay in Florence ended, and we ventured to Venice! We endured our first water bus ride to the hotel and walked around the city before we attended a mask-making workshop. The night ended with a group of us attending a live concert at the San Giorgio Maggiore opera house in Venice, where we listened to a baroque ensemble perform Vivaldi Four Seasons, which was unbelievable! Photography and video were prohibited, making the performance feel intimate and personal. The show would never be performed for this exact group again, and I felt truly honored to witness these talented musicians up close.
This trip was an unforgettable experience, filled with so many incredible moments that I can’t capture in a single article. From the rich history and breathtaking art to the vibrant culture surrounding us at every turn, I was utterly immersed and deeply inspired. My time in Italy has left an everlasting impression on me, and I eagerly look forward to returning to explore even more of its beauty.