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LorenzoBarone

Graduate Profile: Art Gallery Director Lorenzo Barone

In the latest edition of our Graduate Profile series, we are pleased to introduce an alumnus who is still living in Paris. Originally from Italy, Lorenzo Barone came to Paris to pursue our History and Philosophy of Art Master’s Degree Programme, the first step to broadening his horizons and career path in the Paris and international art scene. Learn more about Lorenzo and his current activities in our interview.

Where are you from and what originally brought you to Paris?

I first came to Paris to study at PSAC in order to raise the level ofmy education in an international foreign language like English, as wellas learn a new language like French, and live in a wonderfulinternational capital as Paris.

What attracted you most about studying at PSAC?

What attracted me the most was the difference between PSAC’suniversity approach and my past experiences in Italy. More concretely,the debate and free exchange of ideas between professors and students,which I firmly believe is a more solid method for the academicmaturation of the students.

What were some of the highlights of your experience?

Not only is the environment magical at PSAC, where you can reallybreathe history, but I also had the opportunity to express mystudy proposals, and my creativity in front of professors and alumniduring lectures and events. The best moment? The tango lessons!

What are you currently doing and how did that come about?

Right now, I am director of the PIGMENT art gallery in Paris. Ibecame director after several internships in art galleries in Paris andworking in an international gallery in Milan as an in-house curator andlogistic manager.

Do you think that your studies at PSAC helped with your career orcreative endeavours?

Absolutely. The open-mindedness, the language, together withextensive studies, and the support of professors toward my interest incontemporary art, what I call “living art,” allowed me to develop acreative sense and rigorous approach, now indispensable in my work. Butalso, the contemporary poetry course, has spurred me to keep expressingmyself creatively and keep writing!

Would you recommend PSAC to potential students and if so what would you tell them?

I would absolutely recommend PSAC to all students who want tocontinue an excellent education in a stimulating environment and amagnificent city that offers not only culture but opportunities forcreative self-expression. If I had to give advice to future students, itwould be to not only think about getting an excellent education, but tomake the most of everything that staying at PSAC can offer, because thetime is not only books and classes, but human and cultural relationshipsthrough the city and events!

Merci Beaucoup, Lorenzo!

You can connect with Lorenzo on LinkedIn or Instagram. Learn more about PIGMENT art gallery and its exhibits on its website or Instagram.

Graduate Profile: Digital Content Producer Nina Starner

In this edition of our Graduate Spotlight series we meet Nina Starner. A graduate of our Creative Writing Master’s programme in Paris, Nina’s current position as a Digital Content Producer for Static Media began during her time at our Paris School. Discover how her time in Paris, even during the difficult era of COVID, was transformative for her in our interview with her below.

Where are you from and what originally brought you to Paris?

I’m from Philadelphia, and before enrolling at PSAC I had visited Paris three times. One of my closest friends and I came up with a scheme to move abroad in 2018 or so, and ultimately, we both found graduate programmes in fields we wanted to study in Paris (my friend studied at Institut Français de la Mode and now works in fashion). Thankfully, I was accepted into PSAC’s programme and began my time there in January of 2020 (what timing!).

What attracted you most about studying at PSAC?

Paris – no question! I had always wanted to live in Paris, and the history of PSAC’s space (I loved Reid Hall) as well as its Montparnasse location drew me in. I looked at other creative writing programmes in other cities but applied to PSAC first before even finishing the other applications, as it was my clear first choice.

What were some of the highlights of your experience?

I may have been seriously impacted by COVID during my time at PSAC, but I still made friends I am still close with to this day. My very first Fiction class, taught by Amy Sackville and Yelena Moscovitch, was a real highlight, as the chemistry during workshops was fantastic. Graduating at Canterbury Cathedral in 2022 was also an unbelievable, unforgettable experience!

What are you currently doing and how did that come about?

I moved back to Philadelphia and work for a company called Static Media in one of their companies called Looper, where I’m a digital content producer. I appear in and help write a show called Okay, So Basically, where a colleague and I use cartoons and snark to explain pop culture properties to each other. I was working part-time as a freelancer for Static during my time at PSAC and was offered a full time position after I completed my thesis.

Do you think that your studies at PSAC helped with your career or creative endeavours?

The big reason I wanted to study creative writing was to learn more discipline about writing and take time for myself to be required to write creatively; since I write for a living, it can be hard to get creative projects going after the workday ends. The creative writing program at PSAC definitely taught me a lot about my own writing process, and it also helped me seriously grow as a writer, since I was able to pinpoint specific issues and hurdles in my writing and work to overcome them. I left PSAC as a better writer without a doubt.

Would you recommend PSAC to potential students and if so what would you tell them?

Don’t hesitate: apply right now. The opportunity to study writing in what is, in my opinion, the best city on the planet is absolutely incredible. Despite COVID and crazy visa issues and the normal adjustment of moving to a foreign country, I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything. Even if moving to Paris feels impossible, it isn’t — I moved back and forth several times with my dog in tow, and if I can do that while surviving on an initially rough French skillset, you can too. Also, living in Paris is not at all like Emily in Paris. That show is not realistic in the slightest… to say the absolute least.

Merci beaucoup, Nina!

If you would like to get in touch with Nina or learn more about her work, see her website www.ninastarner.com or follow her on Twitter.
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