We have been home for over a week now and I have had a little time to think about our three weeks in Ireland. The original goal was to provide a group of Wheaton students with an opportunity to think about art, make art and talk about art in a place that would inspire them. I visited western Ireland last summer and discovered the Burren College of Art and decided that this would be an ideal location to achieve this goal. One never knows exactly how these things will work out until after the actual experience but I think that I can safely say that the entire project was a success.
How do you measure success? In this case there were several indicators that it went well, first and foremost, feedback from our students. They all have told us that their three weeks in County Clare went beyond their initial expectations. Some really didn't know what to expect, but I think everyone now believes that the experience changed them in some way. It made them better artists, caused them to be more introspective, provided them the opportunity to look themselves in their artistic eye to see what was really there, examined their work ethic. Second, both Tim and I had a rare look at our students in action, away from Wheaton, as they participated in an intense art-making experience. We discovered that our students can cut it. They can hold their own against students who attend full time art colleges. Third, the administrators at the Burren College of Art were very impressed with our students and told us so on numerous occasions. They were impressed with their ability, with the way they conducted themselves, and with the way they interacted with the local community. Both Tim and I feel very strongly that that Wheaton was represented well. As Tim Jones, the Dean of the BCA stated, "if this is Wheaton, I want more!"
We travelled over 2,000 kilometers, searching for places to photograph or to make sketches for use in future art work. We visited the sea coast, small villages and towns, the Aran Islands, our share of local pubs, watched endless hours of World Cup soccer, got to know each other in ways that would never happen during a regular classroom experience. But mostly we focused on the making of art. We talked about it, we agonized over it, we loved doing it, and we emerged the better for it. Perhaps the real benefits of the experience will emerge down the road somewhere, in another class or another year. Maybe some little nugget of something we saw or heard or touched will find its way into future work because of what we picked up on the Burren was that rare and precious gift: inspiration fueled by experience.
A word about our students: What I am about to say is not said lightly. My students know that I do not give undeserved praise and that I believe that praise is earned through hard work, ultimate effort and from reaching for new plateaus. I do not say what I am about to say to make our parents feel good about their children, though I hope that it will be the case. I tell you that I have never spent time with, or met, a finer group of young people in my 30 years of teaching. These were smart, talented and kind hearted young men and women. They supported each other, were considerate of Tim and me, and were courteous to everyone they met along the way. This journey to the west coast of Ireland, in search of the time and inspiration and the place to make art, was a joy.
Wheaton: be proud! Parents: take joy in knowing that you have done so very well.
Thank you to everyone at the Burren College of Art. You are a small treasure on the west coast of Ireland, built from a dream and now a facility where new dreams become reality.
This is the last blog in the "Arts In Ireland Chronicles." It has been a pleasure for both Tim and I. If you get a chance, support the Center for Global Education and these kinds of programs.
Next stop? Tuscany looks pretty interesting. Anyone interested?
If you would like to comment on any of this, please e-mail me at:
ahoward@wheatoncollege.edu
Thank you.
Andy Howard
How do you measure success? In this case there were several indicators that it went well, first and foremost, feedback from our students. They all have told us that their three weeks in County Clare went beyond their initial expectations. Some really didn't know what to expect, but I think everyone now believes that the experience changed them in some way. It made them better artists, caused them to be more introspective, provided them the opportunity to look themselves in their artistic eye to see what was really there, examined their work ethic. Second, both Tim and I had a rare look at our students in action, away from Wheaton, as they participated in an intense art-making experience. We discovered that our students can cut it. They can hold their own against students who attend full time art colleges. Third, the administrators at the Burren College of Art were very impressed with our students and told us so on numerous occasions. They were impressed with their ability, with the way they conducted themselves, and with the way they interacted with the local community. Both Tim and I feel very strongly that that Wheaton was represented well. As Tim Jones, the Dean of the BCA stated, "if this is Wheaton, I want more!"
We travelled over 2,000 kilometers, searching for places to photograph or to make sketches for use in future art work. We visited the sea coast, small villages and towns, the Aran Islands, our share of local pubs, watched endless hours of World Cup soccer, got to know each other in ways that would never happen during a regular classroom experience. But mostly we focused on the making of art. We talked about it, we agonized over it, we loved doing it, and we emerged the better for it. Perhaps the real benefits of the experience will emerge down the road somewhere, in another class or another year. Maybe some little nugget of something we saw or heard or touched will find its way into future work because of what we picked up on the Burren was that rare and precious gift: inspiration fueled by experience.
A word about our students: What I am about to say is not said lightly. My students know that I do not give undeserved praise and that I believe that praise is earned through hard work, ultimate effort and from reaching for new plateaus. I do not say what I am about to say to make our parents feel good about their children, though I hope that it will be the case. I tell you that I have never spent time with, or met, a finer group of young people in my 30 years of teaching. These were smart, talented and kind hearted young men and women. They supported each other, were considerate of Tim and me, and were courteous to everyone they met along the way. This journey to the west coast of Ireland, in search of the time and inspiration and the place to make art, was a joy.
Wheaton: be proud! Parents: take joy in knowing that you have done so very well.
Thank you to everyone at the Burren College of Art. You are a small treasure on the west coast of Ireland, built from a dream and now a facility where new dreams become reality.
This is the last blog in the "Arts In Ireland Chronicles." It has been a pleasure for both Tim and I. If you get a chance, support the Center for Global Education and these kinds of programs.
Next stop? Tuscany looks pretty interesting. Anyone interested?
If you would like to comment on any of this, please e-mail me at:
ahoward@wheatoncollege.edu
Thank you.
Andy Howard
