BRIEFLY IN EDUCATION

College hosts European art show in January

Laguna College of Art & Design presents “The Radiance of the Renaissance,” a collection of student paintings and drawings inspired by its 2007 summer abroad program, in a free exhibition from Jan. 13-26 in the college gallery, 2222 Laguna Canyon Road.

Exhibition hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The closing reception will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 26. The public is invited, and there is ample complimentary parking available.

The 2007 trip to Florence and Rome marked the 12th year of the summer abroad program. The students studied the major works of art created during the Renaissance under the guidance of Art Historian William Havlicek and Art Professors Betty Shelton and Don Lagerberg.

A key component of the trip was to offer students the chance to see important art works in their actual place of origin, and in conjunction with the historical and cultural location of their creation.

“Seeing a work of art in its place of origin is critical to understanding its meaning, and this extraordinary trip certainly provided everyone with the opportunity to connect art history with the activity of making art,” Shelton said.

Over a 17-day period, students and faculty discussed, presented, sketched and reflected in the form of daily journals.

The goal of this intense activity was to produce works of art that would express the impact of the summer’s learning experiences.

The itinerary included sites such as Medici Chapel, San Miniato al Monte, St. Maria del Carmine, Bargello Museum, La Specola, San Marco, St. Peter’s Basilica, Pantheon, Uffizi Museum, Gallery Borghese, and Michaelangelo’s house.

Students also enjoyed the opportunity to visit LCAD’s partner institution, The Florence Academy of Art, during the annual Alumni Exhibition.

Free college prep tests offered at library

Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions is partnering with the Laguna Beach Library to hold free college preparation workshops in January and February.

Included are practice versions of the ACT, SAT essay and the entire SAT practice test.

The SAT practice test will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 9 at the library. It will be followed by a result seminar from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. Feb. 27.

Other test dates are available.

Only 15 seats are available; to sign up, visit kaptest.com/college, workshop SKPC8552, or call Joann Olora at (714) 768-9655.