“The Art Experience” is a class that I am currently teaching at Xavier University. It is a class that is offered each semester by the Art Department to fulfill an art requirement for non Art Majors. The class is open to interpretation by the professors. The goal for my class is to encourage students to embrace the visual world around them and respect the contribution and influence of artists of every genre. Study of the masters and materials of the artist is, of course, included. Beyond that, we will visit the domain of gallery artists, graphic designers, architects, advertising execs, brand managers, theatre set designers, way finding teams, etc. You get the idea. Our visits include such places as: The American Sign Museum, the Ensemble Theatre, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Caza Sikes Gallery, and Plaza Art Supplies, to name a few. More traditional locations include The Cincinnati Art Museum and the Taft.
Second semester is well underway. Four classes are in the books. The Cincinnati Art Museum was our destination yesterday. What a joy to see the museum for the first time through their eyes. Kids in a candy store! People ask me why I am teaching again and scheduling my Fridays to be on campus for this class. It’s time away from art production and dragging myself to class in the cold and dark. If you look at the expressions on my students’ faces, you will see my answer. It is the best. job. ever. I am grateful!
