Letter Expressing Interest in the UGA Cortona Program

Richard Bloodworth
P.O. Box 2907
Athens, Georgia 30612

To the Cortona Studies Abroad:
	
	I believe the trip to will be a learning experience to enhance my abilities and skills in drawing and painting and a way of sharing ideas with people, students and faculty, from all over the world.  I think it is the duty (and privilege) of the artist to record  experiences from as broad a base as possible.  Since all artists (and all people) are influenced by all that happens to them, including the input of their peers, colleagues, teachers, professors, laymen, society in general, and historical precedents, I believe it is essential to the growth of an artist to mentally and geographically expand his base of experience.  Also, most of our culture, or learned behavior, came from our European heritage and the Italian heritage in the visual arts, as well as in the sciences, is particularly strong.   Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Galileo, Bernini, Bramante, and others as well as the collective efforts of the Italian people all had profound effects on our culture.  To experience the places where they conducted their daily affairs would be particularly revealing. 
	In addition to learning new skills and expanding my base of awareness, I am looking forward to meeting new people and forming the relationships, both personal and professional, essential to individual and artistic growth while learning from capable professionals.