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Read what alumni have to say about our Summer Institute program in London.


Catherine Rockhol

Art & its Markets
Michelangelo to Matisse: European Art, 1500-1900

Age: 21 years old

Occupation: Full-time University Student (California Institute of the Arts, BFA in Photography)

Where do you live now?
Palo Alto, California, USA.

What is your nationality/where are you from?
I am American, born in Palo Alto, CA.

In what ways does the art world interest and excite you?
I love discovering new artists that present something that I’ve never seen or experienced before.

What was it about the program that made you decide to come to Sotheby’s Institute?
I wanted a reputable program that would have real world applications. Sotheby’s Institute had top marks for both criteria. I selected the London location because the city itself has so much to offer. London is rich with art, whether in one of its top museums, a contemporary gallery, or graffiti in an alleyway.

What did you like the best about the program at Sotheby's Institute?
My favorite part of the Art & its Markets course was the wide variety of speakers that came to our class. Without Sotheby’s Institute, I never would have met or had access to these professionals. With the Michelangelo to Matisse course, it was great spending the time in the morning in a lecture, learning about a specific art movement, and to then spend the latter half of the day in a museum or gallery looking at the exact pieces and styles that we had just covered that morning.

How did you explore and enjoy the London art scene while here?
After just the first day I had already made friends from class. Together, groups of us would make plans for after class, or plans to go see an exhibit together over the weekend.


Alesandra Renee Boyle

European Decorative Arts: From Baroque to Art Nouveau

Age: 21 years old

Occupation: Student

Where do you live now?
Northfield, MN, USA.

What is your nationality?
American.

In what ways does the art world interest and excite you?
Beyond my love for the artworks themselves, I have found it quite intriguing and exciting to follow news stories concerning the recovery and restitution of looted works of art.

What was it about the program that made you decide to come to Sotheby’s Institute?
Having the opportunity to study both the decorative arts and the art market in an academic setting was appealing, as I’d never seen anything like it. Growing up abroad, I began my love of furniture at a young age, and the European Decorative Arts program provided me a new form of engagement with these pieces. Additionally, I wanted to understand the art market and how it works, as that knowledge would become invaluable in future endeavors. It was also quite hard to deny the chance to study in London.

What did you like the best about the program at Sotheby's Institute?
I found the tutors and guest lecturers to be one of the best aspects of the programs. Although you are only with them a short while, the amount of information you take in is quite remarkable. This is a direct reflection on how engaging and passionate the tutors and guest lecturers are, as their love of profession and specialization truly shines through.

How did you explore and enjoy the London art scene while here?
One of the most beneficial aspects of the courses that I took was that we spent part of our time in museums or on day trips immersed in art. Thus, I had the joy of exploring London’s art scene with very knowledgeable guides. And on the weekends, I took advantage of the time I had off to soak up as much as I could.


Metehan Se

Art and its Markets

Age: 42 years old

Occupation: Fund Manager in Frankfurt, Germany

Where do you live now?
Frankfurt and Zurich.

What is your nationality/where are you from?
I am German, with a Turkish background.

In what ways does the art world interest and excite you?
I am an avid visitor of museums, and I love Old Masters and contemporary art. Then through friends and family, I visited local auction houses and started my small collection of contemporary Turkish art.

What was it about the program that made you decide to come to Sotheby’s Institute?
The curriculum was very intriguing and met my need of learning more about the global art world. The program's quality was also a factor as well as having the chance of being able to explore London's art scene.

What did you like the best about the program at Sotheby's Institute?
The staff and teachers were well prepared and in good command of their fields of expertise. The class sizes allowed a dynamic exchange of ideas and know-how among international students with various interests and backgrounds.

How did you explore and enjoy the London art scene while here?
The possibility of tapping into Sotheby´s Institute's network was a big bonus. As a student I was immediately able to enter the art scene in terms of gallery visits and networking events.


Daniela Bach

Contemporary Art in London
Michelangelo to Matisse: European Art, 1500-1900

Age: 24 years old

Occupation: Student

Where do you live now?
London.

What is your nationality?
Brazilian/German nationality.

In what ways does the art world interest and excite you?
I love the art world’s dynamism.

What was it about the program that made you decide to come to Sotheby’s Institute?
I previously graduated in Psychology, and Sotheby’s Institute seemed the right place to start my education in art.

What did you like the best about the program at Sotheby's Institute?
I loved the cultural exchange, and the chance of being in contact with students from so many different nationalities.

How did you explore and enjoy the London art scene while here?
Every day for me is filled with art. London is a fantastic city where you can be inspired and find art everywhere. There is always something happening.


Premala Matthen

Finance and the Art Market

Age: 29 years old

Occupation: Art Market Research Analyst

Where do you live now?
London.

What is your nationality/where are you from?
Indian, have lived around the world including Middle East, South Asia, Europe, North America

In what ways does the art world interest and excite you?
I studied Economic History and have always been fascinated by markets.  I am most interested in understanding and interpreting trends, triggers, as well as innovation around Fine Art Market evolution.

What was it about the program that made you decide to come to Sotheby’s Institute?
I attended the Art & Finance course. Sotheby's Institute is known to be best because it not only presents Fine Art in a purely academic way, but also helps students understand the market in the context of the wider world.

What did you like the best about the program at Sotheby's Institute?
Instructors and staff were very knowledgeable and always happy to help, guide, and accommodate.

How did you explore and enjoy the London art scene while here?
I went to as many galleries, museums, institutions, and auctions as possible, but also tried to learn from different people, including classmates.

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