By PETER DOUGLAS
UPWEY visual arts student Bianca Lentini is preparing for the trip of a lifetime after recently being awarded a prestigious scholarship.
Ms Lentini will this Friday head to Italy for two months to work as a study curator at the famous Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice, where she will meet with interns from around the world.
During this time, she will learn what it takes to be a curator, as well as work with visitors and lead tours of the museum.
Ms Lentini, who is completing a Master of Curatorship at the University of Melbourne, couldn’t hide her excitement.
“I’m aiming to use it as a bit of inspiration to start my own museum one day,” she said.
“In the future, I’d like to continue to support artists in the Dandenong Ranges – there is plenty of talent here that needs to be seen by a wider audience.”
Interestingly, it was Ms Lentini’s passion for supporting the local arts which led her towards applying for the scholarship.
In recent years, she created The Hills Collective book and website for her visual communication honours degree, which showcased 15 local artists and designers in the Dandenong Ranges, including photographers, painters, print-makers, jewellery designers, puppet designers and illustrators.
Ms Lentini wanted to take the project further but was unable to receive funding.
However, it wasn’t all negative.
“The project led me to start the Master of Curatorship,” she said.
“As a visual arts teacher now and student studying the program, I applied for the scholarship and received the award.
“I would love to thank all those who supported the Hills Collective project and to acknowledge their efforts.”
One of these individuals includes Axel Axelrad, who has lived in the Hills for more than 50 years and designed Ossie Ostrich and other iconic Australian puppets.
Adding to the excitement, Ms Lentini, who is of Italian descent, will be meeting family members for the first time while in the country.
