Art Studio FUJI, School of Jewelry Making, Textile Design, Silkscreening, and Batik, was founded in 1985 by Tamio Fujimura, MFA., Rosary College, Illinois, and by me, Kathleen Knippel, MA., California State University, Los Angeles. For more than 27 years, we have been working as university professors collaborating with foreign students and American university programs in Florence. An international
faculty of skilled artists, craftspeople, and professionals in the field compliment the program of art and craft courses. Art Studio FUJI is a professional art school offering courses in Jewelry Making and Design, Textile Design, Silk screening, and Fashion. The school offers monthly, semester, one year, two year, and three year programs of study. Course hours range from 6 to 9 hours per week to intensive studies of 21 hours per week. The intensive study program is created to accommodate students who wish to achieve a professional working level in their chosen field of research and training, thus being able to work in the jewelry, textile, or fashion industry. The courses are offered on all levels including, Beginning I and II, Intermediate, and Advanced. At every level, a structured program presenting the exploration of ideas, concepts, designs and experimentation with techniques creates the framework for the curriculum. This encourages creativity and practical technical proficiency. Instruction is individually supervised from the beginning concept to the finished fabricated product. With demonstrations and guidance, the instructors encourage the students to explore their highest creative potential. Whether you are motivated by a simple curiosity to study art in Florence (Italy) or are searching for a certified professional training, come and experience the excitement of learning traditionally based techniques and use these abilities to express your creative self in a contemporary context.
