New study abroad program allows MFA students to explore global art scene in London

As she walks the streets of London and the halls of its art museums, Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art student Sarah Hedrick is appreciating the art of the past and is inspired to create her own through a new study abroad opportunity offered by Liberty University’s Department of Studio & Digital Arts (SADA).

Hedrick is the first student enrolled in The London Experience, a new study abroad program launched last fall that offers Liberty MFA students a unique opportunity to earn multiple degrees while exploring the vibrant art and design scene of one of the world’s most iconic cities. Participants spend one year on Liberty’s campus then one year at Richmond American University London, fulfill an internship in London, and return for one final semester on Liberty’s campus to complete their MFA program. Through study abroad, they can earn either an MFA in Graphic Design or an MFA in Studio Art from Liberty and an M.A. in Art History and Visual Culture from Richmond that is accredited in both the U.K. and U.S.

The connection between the two universities came through the work of SADA Associate Professor David Meyer, who was first invited to give a lecture on Richmond’s campus in 2018 and over the years has developed a relationship with the faculty there. Seeing Richmond’s prime location in London and its compatible programs, Meyer said a study abroad program seemed like a tremendous opportunity.

“We started talking with Richmond and realized that our MFA had enough electives and their (master’s program) fit perfectly in ours,” Meyer said. “Richmond is really situated right there in the heart of London, and part of the curriculum is going to all those museums and seeing the pieces for themselves. Also, it’s in a modern business park, with Pokémon Europe’s headquarters there and Warner Brothers there, so students get a chance to meet those people too just by proximity.”

Hedrick, a painter, began The London Experience in September 2024 and said the study abroad opportunity has allowed her to take in a large breadth of the diverse art scene the city is known for.

“This program has really given me the opportunity to take my time and experience all of the art museums, architecture, and culture of London — to ground myself in it and experience it more fully,” Hedrick said. “The classes have been great, and almost every week we are going on a field trip to places that I never would have known about. We’ve gone to a decent amount of the (well-known museums) like The British Museum and The Victoria and Albert Museum, but also quite a few smaller museums and galleries.”

She said the access to art originating from around the world has allowed her to learn more than she imagined, even on her free time.

“There’s art from the entire world that has been in these museums, so the experience has broadened my mindset of global art. I’ve also been introduced to some of the background work that it takes to run a museum. Learning about the history of art, and then seeing everything in the museums, has really inspired me to create my own works.”

In November, Meyer traveled to London to deliver a guest lecture at Richmond’s International Visual Arts and Culture Research Center about the current state of artificial intelligence in art, including its limitations with understanding historical context, emotions, and unbiased ethics. Meyer also visited Agape UK, the country’s division of Cru (formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ), to help them improve their website navigation and design, and he used the project as an in-class discussion with his students.

For additional information about The London Experience, contact David Meyer at dwmeyer@liberty.edu or call (434) 592-6324.