TCU Fine Arts Students Take Their Studies Around the World

This summer, TCU College of Fine Arts students took their education beyond campus, experiencing art, fashion, music, theatre and dance in cities around the world. From studying centuries-old artistic traditions in Italy to exploring the fashion industry in London and Paris, students immersed themselves in the cultures and creative communities that continue to shape their disciplines.

Here are a few highlights from their summer abroad. 

Art & Design | Italy 
Gabe Franco | Junior | Graphic Design, John V. Roach Honors College 
Studying in Florence gave graphic design student Gabe Franco a new way to experience and document a place through art. Students explored Italian culture through photography, 3D scanning, drawing, painting and even scent, ultimately creating a book capturing their experiences.  

A visit to a sculpture studio in Carrara was a particular highlight, giving Franco the opportunity to observe artists working within a tradition centuries in the making. 

“It's so much more fruitful to experience a culture through the five senses,” Franco said. “By engaging in the culture through the arts, we can become one with the city and experience it in a way that is personal and unique.” 

 

Dance | Italy 
Annie Cellar ’26 | Modern Dance, Mathematics 
For Annie Cellar, performing in Italy demonstrated how dance and music can communicate across cultures. Performing alongside a live orchestra for an international audience offered an opportunity to connect through the arts without relying on a shared spoken language.

“My experience in Italy greatly expanded my perspective on the powerful impact of dance,” Cellar said. “Getting to perform with a live orchestra for an international audience was an unforgettable shared cultural experience, especially because there is no language barrier for dance and music. It was truly an honor to be a part of it.”

 

Fashion Merchandising | England, France & Scotland 
Karys Baker | Junior | Fashion Merchandising 
From the streets of Paris to the department stores of London and the tartan traditions of Edinburgh, Karys Baker experienced how fashion reflects the culture and identity of a place. Visits to the Schiaparelli exhibition in London and Dior archives in Paris further expanded her understanding of fashion as both an industry and an art form.

“I want to implement these different cultures into my future designs and let them inspire me to think outside of the popular trends that America can tend to get used to,” Baker said. “I want to bring different aspects of each of these cultures to Texas.” 

 

Music | Italy 
June Kim Senior | Artist Diploma 
At Music Fest Perugia, violinist June Kim experienced what it means to perform in an international setting, including the opportunity to appear as a soloist with the Perugia Orchestra.  

Surrounded by professional musicians, teachers and fellow students, Kim found inspiration not only on stage but also in watching her TCU peers perform at a high level.

“I learned that being a performer doesn't necessarily mean being the best and that collaborating well with others is a much more important part of my career,” Kim said. “I learned from the professional musicians and teachers at the festival what it means to be a collaborative, professional artist, and this is something I'll carry into my future career.” 
 

Theatre | England
Maggie Weckesser | Junior | Theatre (Acting) 
For Maggie Weckesser, studying in London meant seeing for herself many of the institutions and performances she had previously encountered only through her Theatre TCU coursework. Seeing productions at the National Theatre was a highlight, offering a new perspective on a city where theatre is deeply embedded in the cultural landscape.

“I had never pictured a life after college outside of the states, but traveling abroad and studying theatre in a different country has made me realize that there is so much world to see, study and immerse myself in,” Weckesser said. The experience also introduced her to professional possibilities beyond the United States and sparked a deeper curiosity about theatre history and performance around the world.