For my online community

Community has been the key takeaway for me throughout this seminar. I have watched Carleen explore fabrics and dyes. I will never forget the picture of the rabbit having its fur spun right off its back! I saw David look at his community and how he could bring a glimpse of joy into diverse communities. Rick continued his exploration of clay and architecture in new and exciting ways.  I have enjoyed taking this journey with each person in the class.

Through this semester, I was able to listen and watch my classmates develop ideas and work on what interested them. Through their individual interests and pursuits I learned two things: To pursue my ideas whole-heartedly and how to better encourage others to do the same. I saw a community of artists unfold, each searching diverse topics.

While nobody was researching a subject that directly related to what I worked on, I found it refreshing to see what others are working on. Watching Daniel explore museums and then creating tangible items for others to experience forced me to reflect on how others interact with my own work. Seeing the progress of David’s doors made me consider the meaning and influence behind my work on a deeper level.

I much prefer a more individualized format because it allows for those small aspects of ourselves to be fully explored. Each person who shared their story through this class has imparted something I won’t forget. Andrea searching for healing through her work showed me how art has such powerful healing qualities. Each person in the class has explored a different avenue, but they have tied together so beautifully. I was able to explore a newer avenue of sculpting and receive feedback as I continued with clay and explored glass casting.

I am not a 2D artist by any means, but it has been valuable to see others explore a variety of mediums and approaches to each work. It has actually been a valuable experience for me as a teacher, because I have been able to adapt this approach for my high school classroom. In my advanced ceramics and sculpture classes I have created an environment where students can be more self-directed in their approach to their work. Next semester I will have one of my most advanced students almost completely self-directed in her coursework and I’ve already told her to start compiling books and artists she would like to study as a result of this class. I have also incorporated more feedback in small groups of students. I have appreciated feedback on my work in this class, so I have begun to break my students up into separate levels to critique each other and spur each other on mid-project. My students have been researching new artists and exploring new avenues thanks to the research of their classmates. My classroom has slowly evolved into a much more collaborative and exploration-based class.

All of these developments have been made possible because of this community. Several people I in the class I know from Junction and several I do not. However, being a part of each individual’s exploration of ideas and artistic creations has been a valuable experience. I am thankful to have had this close contact with these other artists, even if just for this short amount of time.