Get Inspired Outside: Visual Arts Summer Workshop

Students collaborated on a giant canvas painting, inspired by nature and AAU’s Visual Arts Summer Program, during an outdoor workshop with Professor Aleksandra Jarosz Laszlo.

The program slowly developed the skills and technique of the students, who had varying levels of experience with visual arts, through exploration of Prague’s art scene and studio work. With each painting they saw themselves improve and change as artists, students commented.

“I probably would not have picked up a brush with the intention of painting if someone had not put it in my hand initially—just like I never used to look at flowers and imagine them as alive and breathing. But now, after observing nature and painting parts of it, I see it differently,” said Fattore.

Students learned to gather inspiration from the culture, tradition, and history around them. Guided by Professor Laszlo, they practiced patience and authenticity rather than perfection.

“We have the freedom now to just paint and do whatever we want. I didn’t plan my painting at first, but I like drawing distorted faces and shapes,” said art student Natalie Chow.

Time and time again the students commented that the outdoor workshop—painting on a giant, shared canvas in the AAU gardens—allowed them the free space to be creative and work together.

“It reminded me art isn’t always individual, but can be collaborative, intuitive and come together even stronger,” said one student, Ava Cavil.

Professor Laszlo said this about their final outdoor project:

“We are following in the footsteps of Frantisek Kupka and all the submissions we have seen during the course. For example, a huge part of the inspiration for this piece comes from an exhibition at Kunsthalle Praha with Anna-Eva Bergman and Hans Hartung.”

AAU emphasizes learning by doing—rather than only through lectures—and most Visual Arts courses take advantage of Prague as a unique living embodiment of art and architectural history in Europe with a network of galleries and museums, many located within walking distance from the AAU campus.

AAU has small newly renovated art-studio facilities on campus located at the beautiful premises of the original Baroque Thurn-Taxis Palace in the historical center of Prague, with free access to the adjacent Vojan garden which is the oldest garden established in the 12th century.

“Our class trips around the city were my favourite part because I got to see how deeply art is tied to Prague’s history, and it gave the work we did in the studio more meaning,” said Camdyn Jackson, one participant of the workshop.


A photo report from the workshop can be found here. For more information about Visual Art Studies, contact the admissions team at admissions@aauni.edu.