Getting the opportunity to experience the historic foundation of the Eternal City was one of the things I loved about my stay in Rome.

Living in Rome for the past five months has given me the incredible chance to experience the world outside of my own backyard. Beyond the realm of the American way of life, I was able to discover what the rest of the world has to offer. From the history to the artwork, Rome has provided an amazing amount of inspiration, memories, and learning opportunities.

One of the main reasons people travel to the Italian capital is to get the chance to witness and feel the extensive history that is evident in every aspect of the city. From the moment you land in Rome, you can take a visit to the Colosseum where gladiator fights, competitive sports games, and wild animal showcases, all occurred. Beyond that, as you continue your travels throughout the city, it is almost as if you time travel through different centuries. One of the good things about Rome is that the Romans don’t knock anything down in the creation of something else. Rather, they just build on top of things. Therefore, some places have a mix of architecture from the days of Ancient Rome, as well as structures built during the Fascist period when Mussolini was in power.

Living in Miami, Florida, if you want to attend an art showcase, you must drive about 45 minutes to an hour to the Wynwood art district, depending on where you live. In Rome, you can be walking down the street and accidentally stumble upon an art showcase of some sort where you least expect it. The museums and galleries of the city have an excellent selection of artists from various parts of the world. My first week here I was able to attend gallery exhibitions by both Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol, which I did not expect here in Italy. A few weeks later, I went to the “Dream” exhibition held at the Chiostro Del Bramante. This showcase featured art installations from several different artists, including Jaume Plensa, Anselm Kiefer, and Mario Merz, among others. Being an artist myself, it was interesting to witness and experience the work of many great artists, as well as lesser known ones. It has provided me with endless inspiration that I can apply to my own work.

2019. In collaboration with the American University of Rome.