SCAD-Lacoste to offer media and performing arts

By Ron Jones

There are certain experiences in life a person never forgets. For students at the Savannah College of Art and Design, studying in France at SCAD-Lacoste is one of those life-defining experiences. “I have learned so much through studying at Lacoste — about myself, about art and about other cultures. Truly a life-changing experience,” said Erin Perry, a third-year painting major. Perry is one of more than 200 SCAD students who have studied at SCAD-Lacoste since March 2002, the date the college began conducting classes in Lacoste.

The curriculum at SCAD-Lacoste changes each quarter, offering students from various majors the choice to study in France. The upcoming spring term will focus on film and illustration courses. Media and performing arts courses will be offered during the summer term, becoming the newest addition to the SCAD-Lacoste curriculum.

“We’re very excited at the School of Media and Performing Arts that we’re offering our majors their first Lacoste experience,” said media and performing arts professor Bruce Roach. “One of our course offerings will be a performance studio class that will culminate in a public presentation that will be tailor-made for the local Lacoste audience. The rich history of Provence provides a unique setting for our students to study performance techniques based in that culture. I’m sure I echo the feelings of several of our students when I say that I’m ready to get on the plane tomorrow.”

In addition to media and performing arts courses, the summer SCAD-Lacoste curriculum includes courses in art history, drawing, painting and photography. The eight-week quarter also includes numerous day trips to places of interest in the region and an overnight excursion to Paris. Interaction with noted visiting artists also are an important part of the Lacoste experience.

The Lacoste School of the Arts was founded in 1970 by the American artist Bernard Pfriem in the rural village of Lacoste, located in central Provence. SCAD partnered with Lacoste in early 2002 and assumed responsibility for managing the academic programming. Since then, Lacoste has donated its historic properties to SCAD.

The summer term runs June 28 - Aug. 19. Applications to participate in the summer SCAD-Lacoste program are being accepted in the off-campus programs office in Harris Hall. Interest meetings will be held April 1 at 8:30 p.m. in Crites Hall, April 7 at 6 p.m. in Bergen Hall, and April 15 at 8:30 p.m. in Pepe Hall.

Jones is director of off-campus programs.