"In 2001, I was awarded a year-long scholarship to study in Florence at Studio Art Centers International. I was born and raised in Alaska, and the desire for worldly experiences was a strong motivation for me to journey to Italy. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet so many different people, from so many diverse cultures. I could not begin to anticipate the affect such a unique situation abroad would have on me and my art. In order to create, an artist needs not only space and time to work, but also the support of his or her community. SACI's program was hugely beneficial in large part because of the supportive community they fostered. They simultaneously created an environment of creativity while also providing excellent resources for me to make art. SACI established a situation that enabled critical developments in my art to manifest and grow.

My experience at SACI made me aware of contemporary theories present in the art world today. While working in a Classical Art framework, SACI also exposed me to conceptual artwork and more modern experimental ideas in art. These studies strengthened my artistic backbone and provided international artistic possibilities for me. SACI's sponsoring my studies was invaluable to me, especially by providing me with the opportunity to attend the Gerrit Rietveld Acadmie in Amsterdam, through the inner-school exchange program. After this exchange, I was formerly admitted to the Rietveld's Fine Arts Program, where I completed my Bachelors of Fine Arts degree. Currently I live and work in Amsterdam as a professional artist." Christina Barber