Italy as Muse in W&L Art Exhibit

LEXINGTON, VA (12/12/2011)(readMedia)-- Christopher Alexander of Richmond, Va., a junior at Washington and Lee University, had his work included in an art exhibition titled Drawing Italy 2011, which was recently on display at the University's Lenfest Center.

The exhibition was composed of drawings and paintings by Washington and Lee students who spent the 2011 Spring Term abroad in Italy.

Every other spring term, students in Professor Kathleen Olson's Drawing Italy class explore the rich artistic traditions of Italy as they travel through Rome, Florence, Umbria and Tuscany. Over the span of the month-long course students live and draw on site using the unique experience as inspiration for their artwork. The influence of Italy's distinct light, landscape and architecture is expressed through various media including watercolor, pen and ink and pastel.

Alexander, a graduate of St. Christopher's School, is a politics major with a minor in studio art.

Washington and Lee University, the nation¹s ninth oldest institution of higher education, is among the nation¹s premier liberal arts colleges and universities. Washington and Lee University provides a liberal arts education that develops students' capacity to think freely, critically, and humanely and to conduct themselves with honor, integrity, and civility. Graduates are prepared for life-long learning, personal achievement, responsible leadership, service to others, and engaged citizenship in a global and diverse society.