THE MANAGEMENT by ALEX WELLES (2007)

No John Hall newsletter would be complete without a thorough look at those people who keep the whole thing spinning, the Management. The Italian triumvirate consists of John Hall, Charles Hall, and Patriza. With Clare moving behind the scenes in UK and sometimes flying in to add a more then welcome balance of motherly nature.

To begin at the beginning John Hall, founder of the program and father of Charles Hall, has been taking students through the mysteries and back allies of enchanted Venice for over forty years. But despite that fact or possibly because of it he still lights up every time one of us begins to explain our surprise and wonder at seeing some beautiful work that we had studied en situe, of course he always leaves us with an idea of the one or two things we missed, giving us a reason to return. He presides over the students with a patrician air and leaves most the day-to-day running of things to his son Charlie.

Let me pause with a word of warning, one of the many results of Charlie's varied and interesting life is that has seen and heard everything and no excuse, no matter how many twists and turns it carries, will wipe the look of disdain from his face when you show up late for lecture. But really, you missed the pre-eminent expert on Mozart because your alarm clock broke? At least be creative. Charlie is a gentleman and an elocutionist in the tradition of Edmund Burke, using a persistent Socratic method he makes you realize that it is a good idea to visit the Palladian villa, even though its raining and you've only had few hours of sleep.

Patriza is our Italian Johnny on the spot moving us with fluidity through every situation that could arise when a group unschooled in methods and moirés of living in the worlds only floating museum descends on the city. She is quick to smile and even quicker to laugh at anything from our attempts to speak her language to the pre coffee comatose look we sometimes present during the dash for early morning class. In the end they all present a different tactic for the navigation of Italy.