Curriculum

Our curriculum features core foundational courses and additional rotating courses centered on specific artistic skills. Check out our upcoming semester page to find out which courses will be offered in our Summer 2025 program.

Here are some of the classes you may expect to find at Argo:

• Thinking Through Drawing

  “For the artist, drawing is discovery. And that is not just a slick phrase; it is quite literally true.”
  -John Berger

  Thinking Through Drawing is a foundational course designed to equip art students with essential skills in observation, conceptualization, and creative expression through drawing. This class covers a diverse range of practices, including figure drawing, experimental techniques, and still life studies, using a variety of multimedia materials. Students will engage in exercises that enhance their ability to see and interpret the world with greater clarity and depth. By the end of the course, participants will have developed a more refined focus and a profound understanding of how to think through their ideas visually, preparing them for advanced artistic endeavors. “Thinking Through Drawing” is one of Argo’s core courses, appropriate for students working in all creative disciplines.
  

• Contemporary Art Contexts

  “So, I think, first of all, the show is a reflection of the world, and the society we live in.” -Cecilia Alemani
  

  Contemporary Art Contexts delves into the prevailing themes and narratives shaping the current art world. This course examines the intersection of art with technology, ecology, queer theory, the body, feminist theory, racial identity, and cultural heritage, as well as materiality and other critical issues. Students will engage with contemporary artworks and theoretical texts, gaining insights into how these themes influence artistic practice and discourse. Through discussions, critiques, and research projects, participants will develop a nuanced understanding of the complex forces driving contemporary art, preparing them to critically engage with and contribute to the evolving art landscape.

• Syncretic Histories

  “We are projects of collective self-creation. What if we approached human history that way? What if we treat people, from the beginning, as imaginative, intelligent, playful creatures who deserve to be understood as such?” -David Graeber

  Syncretic Histories explores the cultural intersections that have shaped historical events, with a special focus on Greek and Mediterranean contexts. This course aims to develop a critical understanding of time, culture, history, and nations. Through the lens of radical thinkers like David Graeber and Jared Diamond, students will deconstruct conventional historical narratives and investigate the underlying assumptions of these stories. By contextualizing their personal experiences within broader historical forces, students will gain a nuanced perspective on how interconnected events and cultures influence individual lives across different regions and eras.

• Painting

  “Every canvas is a journey all its own.” -Helen Frankenthaler

  The Painting course covers essential topics such as color theory, color mixing, and various painting techniques, including painting from life, landscape, and abstract approaches. Students will explore historical and contemporary art, drawing inspiration from a diverse range of artists and styles. The vibrant light and atmosphere of the Mediterranean enrich students’ individual artistic practices. Through this immersive experience, students will refine their technical skills and deepen their understanding of color and composition, all while being inspired by the unique beauty of their surroundings.

• Performance & Movement

  “Movements are as eloquent as words.”- Isadora Duncan

  Performance & Movement is an interdisciplinary course that invites students to explore the dynamic intersections of dance, theater, improvisation, and physical exploration. Guided by a rotating team of professional dancers, choreographers, experimental performance artists, improv theater practitioners, and actors trained in techniques like Venetian Commedia dell'Arte, students will engage in communal devising and collaborative artmaking. The class addresses themes of community building, physicality, personal expression, ritual, contemporary mythmaking, queer theory, and our interconnected relationship to the earth. Through the study of historical and contemporary examples from dance, live art, theater, durational art, and performance art, students will gain a rich, multifaceted understanding of performance as a powerful medium for artistic expression and social connection.

• Textiles

  “Textile is a universal language. In all of the cultures of the world, textile is a crucial and essential component.” -Sheila Hicks

  The Textiles course offers an expansive exploration of textile arts, delving into its vast possibilities including sculpture, installation, and wearable art. This class examines the growing influence of textiles in contemporary art, emphasizing the roles of gender and sexuality in shaping its discourse. Students will study historical textile traditions and methods, and draw inspiration from both historical and contemporary textile artists. Depending on the semester, the course may cover a variety of techniques such as embroidery, weaving, dyeing, and printing on textiles. By blending technical skill development with critical discussions, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of textiles as a dynamic medium for innovative artistic expression and cultural commentary.
  

• Professional Art Practice Development

  “I paint for myself. I don't know how to do anything else, anyway. Also I have to earn my living, and occupy myself.” -Francis Bacon

  Professional Art Practice Development equips students with essential skills for navigating and shaping their future art careers. This comprehensive course covers practical topics such as writing a compelling C/V and artist bio, creating an engaging artist website, networking at art events, and defining one's artistic practice. Students will also learn how to deliver an effective elevator pitch, prepare for studio visits, reach out to curators, and explore various professional art careers. By the end of the course, students will have a clearer understanding of where and how they fit into the larger art world, armed with the lasting skills needed to carve out successful professional art careers after graduation.

• Intermedia

  “The process of making art is the process of becoming a person with agency, with independent thought, a producer of meaning rather than a consumer of meanings …” -Rebecca Solnit

  Intermedia is a dynamic course that delves into the diverse artistic possibilities spanning sculpture, installation, and beyond. Students will explore a variety of materials, methods, and themes, pushing the boundaries of traditional media to create innovative, interdisciplinary works. The course encourages experimentation and conceptual development, enabling students to merge different art forms and techniques. The course explores the integration of new technologies, considering the possibilities of AI and digital tools. Through hands-on projects and critical discussions, participants will gain a deeper understanding of intermedia art, honing their ability to articulate complex ideas and produce compelling, multifaceted artworks.

• Image Imprint (Photography/ Filmmaking/ Printmaking)

  “The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as the pen.” -Laszlo Moholy-Nagy
  

  Image Imprint (Film/Photography/Printmaking) immerses students in the practical skills of filmmaking, analog and digital photography, and printmaking, with specific techniques and technologies varying by semester. The course explores the historical development of each medium and integrates theoretical perspectives from critical thinkers such as Roland Barthes, Susan Sontag, and Walter Benjamin. Students will investigate how printable and filmable images shape artistic contexts and cultural narratives. Through hands-on projects and theoretical discussions, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of these mediums' technical and conceptual dimensions, preparing them to create impactful visual art.
  

Workshops & Gatherings

Our workshops and gatherings are a diverse array of weekly afternoon sessions designed to enrich students' educational experience at Argo. These hands-on workshops include exploring local ecology and practical permaculture skills, cooking classes featuring Greek island specialties, traditional Greek dance, and studio visits to professional artists and artisans in the area.

This series fosters a holistic approach to learning, blending artistic development with practical life skills and well-being practices, all set against the inspiring backdrop of our unique locale.

Other Weekly Gatherings include:

〰️ Cinema club and discussion group 〰️

〰️ Friday evening critique and feedback sessions 〰️

〰️ Group dinners 〰️

〰️ Introduction to the Greek language 〰️

〰️ Excursions to cultural & historical sites 〰️

〰️ Museum visits 〰️

〰️ Studio visits with local artists and artisans 〰️

Students are also encouraged to participate in independent studio sessions, where they work alongside visiting faculty, creating an environment of shared artistic creation while providing space to explore individual projects and inspiration.