Dear All,

 

Thank you so much for following along on our Arts In Ireland Blog!  We were delighted to be able to share our adventures with you.

I have heard from many of the students who participated in this program and most wish they were still working hard in the Burren.  Some are finding it difficult getting back into the regular flow of life at home, some are happy to be back with the “Rents” and the BF’s, and some are ready to get back on the plane and begin again.

I have already described in detail, in previous blogs, how great this was so I won’t do that again…..However, I do want to say to each and every parent of our students that you should be very proud of the fine person your son or daughter, (our student), has become. They represented all of us well and they did themselves and Wheaton proud.

As promised, I will end with a few photographs submitted by students and a few of my own.  I didn’t get as many pictures as I would have liked from students but what I did get I hope you enjoy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maggie and lena…I don’t think they even knew each other before Ireland.  Maggie is off to Cortona in the fall..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And as we fade to black on this adventure….I would like to say a final thank you to all who helped make this possible, the folks at the Burren College of Art, Wheaton College, Tim, and mostly our students who performed admirably and made both Tim and I realize why we chose teaching as our profession.  Thank you all..

 

Andy

 

 

 

I want to begin by apologizing for not keeping current with my blog entries.  Initially, the reason was that re-entry to “normal life” was all consuming:  unpacking, recovering from jet lag (not so bad), and getting back into the rhythm of daily life.  Then, it became a matter of finding the time to sort out all of my impressions of the trip, and to find a way to communicate to you what it was really like to have shared this wonderful experience with 16 talented students.  I will do my best to share my reflections with you, now that I have been able to process the whole thing from a bit of a distance. It is, however, very good to be home!

I want to thank Tim Cunard, my partner in the Arts In Ireland course, for all of his hard work with the students.  He brought an important element to the dynamic of working day to day with our students that was based on his almost encyclopedic knowledge of contemporary art.  He worked one on one with each student helping them to work through and develop their artistic concepts and make it real through the production of their art.  It seems, from student evaluations, that we were a nice balance with different but complimentary approaches to the production of art.  ”Dynamic Duo” was a term often used to describe our combination of teaching styles…. I’ll take it!!  Thanks Tim, for adding so much to this experience through your knowledge and good humor and your tireless efforts in making this trip successful.

  I would like to share a few facts about the outcome and the value of this experience:

1st, of the sixteen participating students, many told us that their three weeks in Ireland were the best three weeks of their lives.  What an incredible statement!  Most of them are between the ages of 19 and 21.  Two had birthdays while away in Ireland.  To say that those three weeks were “the best three weeks of my life,” is a very powerful testament to the success of this venture.  As a teacher, to have played a part in this is truly an honor.

2nd, in an earlier blog I stated that this intensive approach to making and learning about art, is the very best way to teach an art course.  I will stand by that statement because I have witnessed the success of this approach repeatedly.  I am astounded, by the depth of understanding demonstrated by the creation of a body of art work, at how much a student is capable of accomplishing under these circumstances.  Teaching art is not about teaching technique, especially to more advanced students.  It is about finding a way to make connections between what lives inside each students heart and soul and bring it to light in the form of a photograph, a drawing, a painting or whatever medium a student wishes to use.

 In this intensive, every day, all day environment, you have the opportunity as an instructor to help a student reach down and touch their own artistic sensibilities and bring their concerns to the surface.  This is the difficult part but also the most fulfilling and satisfying part of teaching art.  Those teaching moments don’t necessarily happen in the studio or while actually making art.  They can happen over a cup of tea, or while riding in a car, or over dinner.

We witnessed many “break through” moments over the three weeks in Ireland.  These moments were often accompanied by tears in emotionally charged critiques or conversations.  Our students tried so hard to find their artistic nerve center and bring it to the surface for all to see and they were enormously successful.  The lesson learned was that if you pour your heart and soul into something, the dividends will often be huge.  

3rd, the intense experience brings like minds closer together.  Our students bonded in ways that might never have happened in a traditionally taught course at Wheaton in a regular semester.  Of course there is the usual coming together that travelers far from home sometimes experience…but it was much, much more than that:  These young artists were so supportive of each other.  They worked hard together and they played hard together.  We asked them to give us all that they had and they delivered!  They also needed some time to blow off steam, have fun, vent, and visit the pubs….they delivered!!

I have sent out an “all call” for pictures taken by students of the more social side of the 21 days in Ireland.  I will give it a few days and then I’ll post these images that will give you a better sense of the experience through the eyes of a student.

In the meantime, here are a few miscellaneous images to hold you until I can organize the work sent to me by the students:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is another of Benner’s machines.  This one is a “rock mover.”  Notice the guy running the machine.  I kind of look like a cyborg.  Benner’s basic concept was developed after spending time in the Burren and getting strong vibes from all that he saw and experienced.  Exactly what we hoped would happen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meredith (r) and Jackie practice a few Kaylee dancing steps.  With 14 women and 2 men on the trip, it became necessary to seek out any port in a storm.  Oh, such safety behind the camera!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rosemary and Kat turn the corner towards “home.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All for now….My next blog will be my last for this trip.  Now is the time to ask questions, resolve the unresolved, so that I can respond.  Thank you so much for taking the time to follow along and again I apologize for not blogging this entry until now.  I hope everyone is well and that you are enjoying the rare sunny days of this summer!

 

Best,

 

Andy

 

 

It’s friday morning here and it’s raining!  This is the very first day of rain that we have had in the 20 that we have been here.  Unbelievable weather.  It seems we have had the flip side of what has happened, weatherwise, at home.

As you can imagine, the last couple of days have been very busy.  The show was mounted and it looks wonderful!  The down side is that the opening was sparsely attended.  Our schedule and the schedule of the “real” world seemed to be out of synch…so….we’re going to do it again!

Students are preparing another full blown opening complete with food, and a band playing traditional Irish music.  They didn’t want to end their time here without a kind of closure befitting all of the effort and energy expended.  

Wednesday evening, students, minus Tim and I, gathered for a student run critique.  From all accounts it was extremely successful.  This is something that we don’t do at Wheaton but I will seriously consider it  for the fall in an upper level class.  

It’s really hard for me to tell you about the work that our students have produced here.  Better to show you.

The following photograph is a picture of Katharine Heyl in front of a photograph of one of her sculptures.  The work is actually produced to be photographed in a natural surrounding and the inspiration for this came from Irish legend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next image is a closer look at another of “Kat’s” works.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think I have said this before but it is worth repeating.  The first 3 days after our arrival, this group spent their time touring, listening, exploring and settling in to this new surrounding.  The work that they created was completed in approximately 2 weeks.  This compression of time forced them to adjust, solve problems, decide on the content of their work and complete it.  This could not have been done successfully without a total commitment that required 10, 12 and sometimes 15 hour work days.

 

Here is a photograph of Veronica Rogers and few sentences from her to help you understand how this experience shaped her work:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“My project concerns the meeting of the imaginary with the actual.  The Irish people’s talent for narrative and respect and passion for their heritage provided a beautiful platform to explore this idea.  Our group had the priviledge of listening to Eddie Linehan, a very famous story teller, who lives in the Burren.  Inspired by his stories, I have based the majority of my works on the legends he presented to us.  Working towards a dual major in Studio Art and English, the central focus in both my academic areas of study is the concept of communication.  Illustrating Irish legends allows me to combine both interests, and meet this common goal.  Thus, by rendering their stories my work is a representation of the landscape. and the people and their culture.  This experience has also reinforced my positive feelings towards Ireland and given me an opportunity of a lifetime!”

 

At the beginning of all of this, our basic construct was, ” experience the place and then create a body of work based on what your senses perceive.”  Sometimes the result of that can be surprising, as it was for Edie Snyder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Upon arriving in Ireland, I began drawing and making photographs.  During the breaks I’d find myself in the junk pile behind the school collecting small rusty metal objects that were interesting to me.  Soon, I had quite a rust collection in my studio!  I decided to follow my instinct and decided to put some of these pieces together.  I learned how to weld!  This opportunity is unlike any other because it has allowed me the freedom and resources to take a risk and try something completely new to me.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marianne Honeycutt spent her time working on photographic constructions.  Believing that no one image is capable of expressing what this place looks like, she made multi-image “collages” showing detail as well as panoramic views.  She is shown in this picture with Carol, and artist in residence at the BCA.

 

” Coming to the Burren has been one of the most unique experiences I have ever had.  I have been pushed far beyond what I have achieved in the past.  There is a natural tranquility here.  I feel like I can breathe deeper here, stretch out, slow down, and experience the brilliance of the natural world.”

 

Tess Cunard’s project consists of re-building a section of one of the thousands of miles of rock walls found here.  It is a conceptual piece that deals basically about where we are now, life’s obstacles, and the uncertainty of the future and the doors we will have to pass through.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tess Cunard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This blog will continue after our return to the States.  There is so much still to tell and so much more to show you.  I need to sort it all out and have some time to organize it. As promised, I will post an album of images that will hopefully complete the picture of what has happened here.  

 

Wish us a safe flight home.  We’ll see you soon.

 

Andy

Before I begin, I will tell you that there will be no photographs in todays blog.  This has been a day of preparation for the exhibition opening that will occur from 1-4 tomorrow. (thursday)  We expect a great turnout and students are very excited after all of their hard work.

The list of things that must be done seems endless.  Here’s a sample:

Complete projects.  Finishing touches, installations, hanging the work, designing each exhibition space, cleaning floors, returning tools to their proper places, writing artists statements, preparing labels, paint touch ups, hanging lights, preparing price lists…… All this times 16!

Most of our students have never done anything like this before so they need a bit of guidance, but it’s a very valuable prelude to the senior seminar that they will all have to complete as seniors.

As I write this blog, they are all gathering for their very first “students only” critique.  We don’t do anything like this during the regular school year for any number of reasons but they were told at the beginning that they were going to be treated as artists and not as students.  We’re hoping that this will be a positive experience and that they might continue it back at Wheaton.

Tomorrow morning will be a time for making last minute adjustments before show time.  Rumor has it that most will dress up and wear the best of what was packed for the opening.  The work from this show will be exhibited at Wheaton in the fall, in Mars Arts and Humanities, and possibly at other sites throughout the year.  

I’m beginning to think that this blog is a bit of a ramble but I’ll be honest…I am exhausted!  

So…tomorrow is the exhibition followed by a barbecue sponsored by the Burren College of Art, then a short break before dancing lessons in Kilfenora.  Students will be learning the fine art of  Kayli dancing.  A bit like American square dancing with many more spins.  I will be taking photographs  to share with you.

On friday morning we will have our final faculty led critique and then the show will be broken down for travel.  Packing on friday because our departure is fairly early on saturday morning.  Friday evening we will be dining at Orchard House, the student residence, on food prepared by students.  We will have our final toasts, closing ceremonies, and get ready to return home.

This has been some journey.  More tomorrow and I promise more photographs in the remaining blogs.

Thanks for staying with us!

PS…the weather has been absolutely beautiful here for the past 21 days.  I think we had one afternoon that was pretty dark and gloomy.  We know that most of you at home have been plagued with absolutely dismal weather but we promise to bring the sun home with us!  

Andy

 

This place is a raging inferno of creativity!  I can’t remember when I have seen 16 students working so hard to complete projects for an exhibition.  They are not only working feverishly to complete their projects, they are doing so with such pride and care that they cannot help but be successful.  The group dynamic is a wonderful thing with one student feeding off of the drive of the next. 

The show is advertised throughout the community via notices and flyers placed in commercial businesses and elsewhere around the area.  Here is the piece created by Marina White and Brenna Crothers with input from others.  Marina and Marianne Honeycutt walked around town taping them to any surface with visibility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bulk of today’s blog will consist of  photos of students and their commentary on this program and what it has meant to them.  I’ll begin with David Jaffe.  David has been making a short film based on people he has met and things about the area that have inspired him.  David’s personality is absolutely perfect for making films in a place where he doesn’t know anyone.  He has been able to meet so many people in the area, locate actors, get their cooperation, sell them on his idea, and then actually cement it all together to make a film.  This is a tall order for a professional film maker and David has done all of those things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“While the notion of making a film in just three weeks can be rather intimidating, people often forget about what makes a successful short film.  The first of two films that I am making revolves around a metaphorical action.  I was particularly struck by Newtown castle located on the Burren College of Art campus.  The film depicts a woman cutting down a castle with a grinder.  Over three shots we see the devolution of the old to the new, what Ireland was and what it is becoming.”

 

Maggie Cummons has been particularly impressed by the variety of the flora of the area.  Because of its unusual climate and geological structure, the Burren is able to support a variety of species of plants and flowers.  She has been working with pastels in a large scale to depict her interpretation of the structure and color of the flowers here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Coming to Ireland was one of my first traveling experiences and is unique in numerous ways.  Living in the Burren for three weeks has given us the time to embrace the culture of western Ireland.  As an artist, this has been my first opportunity to commit myself entirely to my work.  Although I created my work as an individual, our group dynamic has played a very important role in my pieces because of the ever present critiques and support.”

 

Maggie’s pastels are breathtaking as she takes a rather small plant and then enlarges it to proportions that allow us to see every tiny detail.  Her color choices are distinctly her own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“There is so much to take in and experience that the task of choosing just one subject is almost cruel.  Focusing on one subject has taught me a little about myself.  I have been able to discover things about myself through my artistic interpretation of the Hawthorne trees that grow here. The constant winds from the Atlantic force the trees to grow in the shape of the effect of constant southwest winds. I find the drama of their shape inspirational and have begun a series of loose ink drawings.  The freedom of this course has allowed me to take the next step in my drawing technique.  With only the theme of the Burren to guide us, and no specific requirements to fulfill, I have enjoyed a freedom to become more abstract and bold in my interpretation of this subject.”

 

Marina’s paintings have escalated to one that is nine feet square.  This is a pretty bold step for someone who has drawn on much smaller surfaces and involves full body movement.

 

I’ll have more photos and student commentary for you tomorrow.  

It’s 9:45 in Ireland and I’m sitting in the studio writing this blog.  I am surrounded by wonderful art work created over the past three weeks.  Besides the artwork, almost all of our students are still here completing their work or fine tuning what they have already done.  One of them told me today that what she has learned here is time management.  What you can accomplish in a short time with planning and maximum effort is really astounding.

I am exhausted!  The day began at 7:30 with a walk up into the hills of the Burren.  With the completion of this blog, this day is officially over.

So…when you are sleeping early tomorrow morning, students will be back at work finishing their installation and cleaning their spaces.  Tomorrow evening, wednesday, students are holding a students only critique.  No faculty..  It should be intersting.

 

Good night all, until tomorrow.

 

Andy

Today was the beginning of what will certainly be a very busy and productive week.  Students are working feverishly on completing projects, planning the exhibition, and circulating posters advertising their show to the community.

This afternoon we had our first of three planned critiques for the week.  I don’t know how many of you have participated in an art critique but it’s a pretty strange dynamic.  Students go into it with a certain set of expectations but the outcome can sometimes be quite different than what they expected.  Our critiques are very positive in nature; at least that’s our intent.  When the stakes are high, however, emotion can play a big role in how it all turns out. I think the best that anyone can hope for is that a nugget of some kind will be offered and acknowledged, and that it will help the artist grow. I think that today’s “crit” was successful and will lead to even stronger work for the final exhibition. 

I managed to take a few photographs during the critique to give you a better sense of what it looked and felt like.  Not everyone is featured here because of difficult lighting etc., but everyone will get their fair share of blog “face time.”

Each student has their own work space and we moved from one to the next for the critique.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our students have been putting in 12 hour days in the studio.  We are so proud of them and we are looking forward to an outstanding exhibition.  They have represented Wheaton well.

 The people at the Burren College of Art, from the President on down, have recognized the dedication and energy that our students bring to their work and to the school.  Visiting artists have told us that they are inspired by the enthusiasm and the talent exhibited by our students.  

Tim and I could not feel better about the character and the work ethic of our kids.  They are good people and all of their parents should feel terrific about them.  The work that they have produced is important but the way they have approached it is even more important.  

I have a great job!

 

All for now….

 

 

Andy

 

It’s early sunday morning here in Ireland, the students are sleeping, (most of them), and it’s a great time to catch up on the blog.  

There was a bit of a celebration last night as it was Tim and JoAnn’s 39th wedding anniversary and Kat’s 22nd birthday.  Everyone gathered at Monk’s, a local seafood restaurant, to mark the occasion.  A chocolate cake appeared, the band played, and everyone had a great time.  

I am trying very hard to help you understand what it’s like to be here for the students, what their experience is like, and what it feels like to be teaching them in this environment.  The best way to do this is to let the students speak for themselves.  Dania Piscetta has been working on a sculptural concept since she arrived. Using natural materials, she is producing a work that is resonant with the way this environment affects her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

” I’ve never had an experience like this.  This is the first time that I have felt the freedom to create anything that I want.  This unique quality about the program has allowed me to push my boundaries as an artist and discover what truly inspires me to create.”

 

Just so you know, I have asked each student to write a comment about the program and explained that their comment will be accompanied by a photograph.  I haven’t told them what to write, I have given them no guidelines whatsoever, and I haven’t even told them to write something positive.  In keeping with the objective for this blog, every photo and every word written is to help share the flavor of this experience with our readers.

It can be very frightening to face the blank canvas, and this is exactly what our students have been asked to do.  It’s much easier to be given an assignment and simply follow instructions than it is to develop a concept and an idea of your own and execute it to completion.  In the next few days, as we come to the end of our time here, that is precisely what our students will be doing.  I’ll share the results with you when we get there.

The other evening, the BCA Gallery opened an exhibition of the work of local artists.  Our students attended the opening, mixed with the artists, and were able to speak with them about their work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The town of Ballyvaughan is a very active sea coast town in the summer.  Yesterday, the Burren Cycling Club sponsored a bike race known as the “Tour de Burren.”  Over 900 bicyclists from the area participated.  Jackie Prescutti, Lena Isenberg and I were asked to photograph the race by the Burren Cycling Club.  The longest of the races is the 160km race which encompasses the entire area of the Burren and includes a place called “corkscrew hill.”  Corkscrew hill is an area with about a five km incline that ends in a series of very steep switchbacks.  It is not for the faint of heart but these folks seemed to take it in stride.  Bicycling is a huge sport here and throughout Europe and the range of ages going up that hill was incredible. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This seems to be a great place to finish for today.  I think you’re pretty much up to date.  Sundays are pretty relaxed here but I think I’ll be seeing students straggle into the studios before too long.  They understand that time is getting short and that we have a critique tomorrow.  Lots to do, little time to get it done.  Have a great sunday, and to all of the fathers whose kids are here, “Happy fathers day!

 

Andy

 

The last two days have blurred together.  It has been one of those times when knowing the hour of the day and the day of the week really doesn’t matter.  

We travelled by bus to Galway, then from Galway to the ferry and then by ferry to Inishmore. The trip took approximately three hours and felt more like a triathalon than a journey.   Everyone arrived in great spirits, the ocean was relatively calm and we were greeted by a beautiful sunny day on the island.  

Inishmore is one of three islands off the coast of Co. Clare, and actually the largest of the three.  The best comparison I can make to anything at home is that the Arans are to western Ireland as Nantucket and Marthas Vineyard are to Cape Cod;  lots of day trippers and weekend visitors.  One of the main differences may be the fact that the natural attractions are much more dramatic.

We began our tour with a 3 hour bus tour of the island to get a feel for the place and then we all went our separate ways to explore.  One of the places that we did stop was the ancient site of Dun Aengus.  There are many theories as to the actual purpose and age of Dun Aengus.  Some believe that it was a sophisticated ring fort bounded on one side by three hundred foot cliffs, and others believe that it was actually a center of commerce.  It’s age estimates vary from a few centuries before Christ to the 8th or 9th century.

By the time we arrived at Dun Aengus, our students needed to blow off a little steam.  Here are some photographs of the crazies from Wheaton releasing a little pent up energy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Island is really very beautiful. According to our guide, it boasts the smallest church in Europe.  It measures approximately ten feet by twelve feet inside and sits at the top of a very steep hill.  Only the devout visited this church on a regular basis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No matter where you are on the island, the views are spectacular.  The next photo was taken from Dun Aengus and looks west across the Atlantic.  Next stop, Maine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before I forget, the students wanted to pay tribute to Wheaton.  We have left our mark!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We stayed at the Mainistir Hostel while on the island.  The food there was excellent, all vegetarian, and plentiful.  It was also centrally located and made it easier for us to get around the island.  The weather was typical;  few hours of sun, followed by a few hours of drizzle and rain.  You get to the point where you just don’t worry about it and you dress in layers.

On thursday evening we reversed direction.  First the ferry, then the ride back to Galway, a couple of hours for dinner and then the return to Ballyvaughan.  I think most just fell into bed and didn’t wake until morning with the exception of a few that encountered and then captured a bat in the house.  No one was bitten and the bat lived.  A good day.

Tomorrows blog will feature more insight from students about this trip as well as photographs.  Towards the end I will assemble photos taken by students and I’ll present them in a gallery format.  It’s pretty difficult to do that on a regular basis as they all are using different cameras and they haven’t really had the time to go through all the possibilities.

I have received a couple of comments that have come through garbled.  Not sure why and it’s also impossible to know who they came from. Thanks to all who are following our adventures and we hope you’re enjoying being with us. 

 

Here a couple of more pictures taken on Inishmore…….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time.

 

Andy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The flowering plant, previously referred to as a Delphinium, is actually Digitalis, or “Foxglove.  The Foxglove is a herbaceous biennial plant of which there are many varieties.  I stand corrected!  More later…

Andy

 

We have had another very full day here in the Burren.  Our requirement for this experience is that everyone be in their studios working by 9 AM, or on location, or making art in some way.  Our students are putting in 13 or 14 hour days here and the results are truly amazing.  

During the school year our semester runs approximately 12 or 13 weeks.  Each student is in class an average of 4 hours per week and completes assignments outside of class.  Here, among other dedicated art students, they compress the same expectations, into a little less than three weeks.  Both Tim and I truly believe that this is the preferred way to teach an art course.  Maybe it would be best if the typical 4 semester course schedule were taught in 4 three week increments, with each course being taught in this compressed, uninterrupted way.  It certainly works here.

Lena Isenberg is one of the students who is participating in this years program.  Lena actually spent a semester here last year as part of Wheaton’s Junior Year Abroad Program.  She writes:

“I studied abroad at the Burren College of Art a year ago and I can’t put into words how happy I am to get to come back.  It feels like going home.  This experience so far has been incredible, and I know its only going to get better.  We had our first critique on thursday and it was by far the best critique I’ve ever been part of.  We were all excited about everyone else’s work, and I was challenged to push my photography to the next level.  My work for my senior show was inspired by my study abroad experience here, and it’s such a blessing to now have three weeks with Wheaton professors and students to be an artist in my favorite place in the world.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is very difficult to describe a typical day here.  Each student has a very different set of goals.   What unites all of them is their love of making art and the very real bonding that has taken place between them.

Tomorrow at 7:15 AM we will be picked up at the student house and driven by bus to Galway to board the ferry for the Aran Islands.  We will spend the better part of two days there exploring and gathering more resource material for making art.  I won’t be able to blog on wednesday or thursday but I will certainly have much to share on our return.

Here are a few photographs made over the past two days that will show you what we have been doing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the days to come, I will be sharing many more personal statements and photographs with you.  My goal is to complete this blog in a way that will allow you an inside look at what has transpired here. I plan to publish many photos showing students working on their projects, places we have visited and art completed by our students.   Please let us hear from you.  We would like this to be as interactive as possible.  Ask questions…… what are you thinking about all of this?  

All for now.  Here are a few more photos to complete this blog.  Good night and wish us fair weather on the Arans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until friday….

 

Andy Howard