Spain 2026

Taking art in Spain has been one of the best experiences of my life. Many times, art comes from an emotional place within the artist meant to elicit an emotional response from the viewer. Art can be anything from paintings to buildings to sculptures to dance/music to the way we dress and all things in between.

I learned many elements of art and artistic movements throughout history. I saw several museums and several architectural structures, both newer and in ruins. Pictured above is an installation at the entrance of the Helga de Alvear museum in Cáceres Spain. My favorite artistic works were in that same museum. The ones with bright and vibrant colors, specifically pinks, blues, and purples, pictured below. 

 

My teacher really encouraged her students to think about the emotions felt looking at different pieces, why those feelings were evoked, and if that could have been the artist’s intended reaction. For me, I was drawn to the art that filled me with joy and happiness, the opposite of what my life has been. The bright, bold colors practically screamed, “Look at me! I’m here.” 

My favorite piece of art was the Setas de Sevilla. This installation is a large structure with beautiful geometric patterns and lines with smooth, rounded sides. The linear pattern alone was not what made it so beautiful, but the transitions of light that illuminated it at night were amazing. Pinks, blues, and purples, of course! The combination of colors and geometrical patterns were pleasing to the eye, and the shear size of the structure could not be missed. The Setas has pathways atop the structure where people can walk around and likely see the entire city from that height. The sight of the Setas is one of my favorite memories from Spain, and my only regret is not getting to walk atop the structure.

My favorite painting that we talked about in class was called “Ashes,” from the expressionist movement. It was a beautiful woman in a white dress. She had her hands on her head as if she wanted to pull her hair out and her expression was one of immense sadness. There is something oddly familiar and deeply beautiful about the overwhelming sadness she expressed. This painting really spoke to me because I could see myself in that woman. I could feel her pain through the paint. To me, to be able to feel the art makes any artistic work great. 

Art is not something I thought I would ever care about. It was just a credit I needed for school. But now, I can see art everywhere I look, and I wonder what the artist’s intention was when the work was created. Taking this class in Spain is an experience I will treasure and carry with me for the rest of my life.