Each fall, four recent UC Davis graduates are given the opportunity to study fundamental drawing skills in the U.K. through the Manetti Shrem International Residency Scholarship at the Royal Drawing School. The scholarship covers tuition and fees for a 10 week drawing intensive at the Royal Drawing School in London and two weeks of study at Dumfries House, a historical home on an estate in Scotland.  

The Royal Drawing School is a non-profit institution that specializes in teaching drawing through observation. The curriculum is focused on drawing as a foundation for all aspects of visual learning and expression. Students curate their own program, choosing from a variety of courses such as life drawing, etching and printmaking. Classes may take place in studios, gardens, museums, or even on London’s city streets. 

Artists from this past year’s cohort felt renewed vigor in their art practice since attending the residency while some were inspired to continue on to graduate school. 

Finding Inspiration Inside and Out 

When she was at UC Davis, Cynthia Alvarado double majored in religious studies and studio art. Since graduating in 2019, Alvarado has continued working in the art community, but said she appreciated the structure she found within the Royal Drawing School.  

“It doesn’t matter which class I’m doing, I feel like I’m in an environment where I’m actively engaged with people who want to help you improve but also want to challenge you to think about what you’re doing differently,” Alvarado said of the program. 

Class of 2023 alumna Ilsa Bauer appreciated the unique opportunity to work in the art studio as well as outside in the world. Bauer, who minored in horticulture at UC Davis, said the “Gardens and Greenhouses” class was one of her favorites.   

“It was just beautiful to be outdoors,” Bauer said. “And being able to combine my plant love with a drawing language and seeing where I sit between those two passions was awesome.” 

Releasing the Pressure  

For Claire Rosefield, who earned a bachelor’s in cinema and digital media and studio art in 2023, the greatest gift of the residency was learning how to let go of her perfectionism.  

“It's largely been helping me work looser and faster and less precious overall, which is something that I've never really been able to do in my own art practice,” Rosefield said.  

Prior to the residency, Rosefield always tried to get everything  exactly “right” when it came to her art. She’s since learned that relaxing and focusing less on the minute details can allow for a new kind of creativity.  

“Working faster allows for a lot of spontaneity and exciting things to happen, which I feel I haven’t really had access to in the past,” Rosefield said. 

Moving Forward 

Layne Takahashi, who earned her bachelor’s degree in design and art studio in 2022, said the residency prepared her to take the next step in her career as an artist: graduate school.  

“I’ve had mentors in the past say that you will get a feeling – that you will know when you’re ready for an MFA and, until I came here, that feeling was nowhere near,” Takahashi said.  

A big factor was being exposed to other students at the Royal Drawing School, especially those in their graduate program the Drawing Year.   

“Before I came here, I really didn’t know what I was going to do after, but I have been able to observe some of the kids in the Drawing Year and see how a postgraduate structure has really pushed their arts to their full potential,” Takahashi said. “After the residency, I will be preparing a portfolio to start applying for MFA programs.” 

Takahashi was recently awarded The Midway Artist Studio Residency in San Francisco.  

Want to Find Out More? 

Applications for Manetti Shrem International Residency Scholarship at the Royal Drawing School open in the spring quarter. Graduating UC Davis seniors, regardless of major, are eligible to apply. Art Studio alumni who have graduated within the last five years are also eligible to apply.  

The Manetti Shrem International Residency Scholarship covers tuition and fees to the Royal Drawing School, including class materials. All other expenses including travel to and from London and Scotland, housing in London, and food are the responsibility of the students. Selected artists are provided a shared studio space alongside Royal Drawing School students. 

Visit the program’s website for more details and to apply.