Positive Space: Conversation in Art Foundations

This episode of Positive Space feature interviews with participants in the FATE affiliate session at the Mid-America College Art Association (MACCA) Conference. At the FATE panel, participants were asked to find or think up something that made them uncomfortable and then go do it. Afterwards those participants returned to discuss their uncomfortable situation and what their experience was during and after.

We speak with Andrew McCauley, Vice President of FATE's Biennial Conference. He speaks about the upcoming conference, Foundations in Flux and all the events surrounding it, how it's different from past conferences what to do in Columbus.

How can we encourage students to be comfortable in the discomfort of the creative process? How can we stay energized in a field where burn out is very common? We unpack these questions and many more with Professor of Art and Coordinator of Graduate Studies at Bowling Green State University, Michael Arrigo while attending the Mid America College Art Conference [MACAA] in Nebraska, earlier this month.

Positive Space speaks with Libby McFalls, Professor of Art and Foundations Coordinator at Columbus State UNiversity. She discusses how to change a foundations curriculum by asking "What are we good at?" how to balance life, art and teaching and her role on the board of ITI.

Positive Space talks with Guen Montgomery MACAA representative for the FATE Board of Directors. She discusses the changing curriculum at the University Illinois Urbana-Champaign and turns the table on host Valerie Powell.

Joshua Brinlee discusses his role as Foundations Coordinator at the University of Mississippi, the idea of living in the question and the tenure process.

In this episode Positive Space sits down with Anthony Watkins, Associate Professor of Graphic Design at Sam Houston State University. Watkins discusses foundations effect on Graphic Design, teaching professionalism in his field and inspirations for students.

In this episode Positive Space speaks with Michael Marks, Associate Professor of Art and Foundations Program Coordinator at the South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University. Michael discusses the foundations program at Anderson University and the release of FATE in Review.

In this episode Positive Space speaks with Jesse Payne, Head of the Drawing Studio and Assistant Professor in the Art & Design Foundations Department at Virginia Commonwealth University, based in Doha, Qatar. Mr. Payne discusses the opportunities created teaching at an international university.

We discuss creative detours, the mystery of art, becoming comfortable in your own skin as well as the habit and repetition and the true courage it takes to make things, with artist and educator, Gary Setzer, Associate Professor, Division Chair of the First Year Experience at The University of Arizona. While exploring the question many educators are asking “Is (should) Foundations be the same for everyone?” Gary outlines the heart behind the thematic “salad bar” design to his foundations curriculum, which gives students agency, while balancing both craft and content. Each eight week module explores material possibilities while welcoming the value of individual student voices, with this DIY approach to Foundations.

Experimentation is something everyone talks about, but rarely are practical examples of how to implement experimentation within our creative studios and classroom spaces deeply examined. Lily Kuonen, Associate Professor and Foundations Coordinator at Jacksonville University, discusses her artwork which she describes as PLAYNTINGS (play + paintings) and how the element of playful experimentation has become a crucial aspect of her teaching pedagogy. Lily reflects on projects that encourage play, observation and curiosity while unpacking how leaderships roles in Integrative Teaching International (ITI), FATE and SECAC have informed her overall perspective.

This episode was recorded live at the FATE panel at the 106th Annual College Art Association Conference held in Los Angeles. The FATE panel was moderated by Naomi Falk, the FATE CAA Representative.

A very honest conversation with David Janssen Jr., MFA Candidate at The University of Idaho. We unpack the privilege of being an educator, millennial haters & the urgent need to avoid becoming lazy by staying passionate about all aspects of being an academic. As a current graduate student, David offers a uniquely fresh perspective about classroom dynamics, with a focus on self reflection and empathy.

Rethinking creativity and being truly open to opportunities - even if they are unfamiliar & across the globe - marks only the beginning of our thoughtful chat with artist and educator Chris Kienke, Chair of the Foundations Curriculum at the School of Art and Design at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Chris outlines how his evolving artistic practice has been informed by places/spaces while teaching abroad in the middle east. In addition, we discuss the state of foundations, advise for emerging educators and the navigating the politics of higher education.

Artist, educator & Gallery Director, Shannon Rae Lindsey, reflects on her evolving art practice & how a curiosity of material possibilities has informed her approach to foundations curriculum. In our conversation, Shannon shares practical strategies for encouraging experimentation in the studio classroom, and her passion for the role interdisciplinary collaboration plays within academic gallery spaces.

A dynamic conversation with artist and educator Susan Altman. We discuss how she has seen education change in her over thirty years of experience in the classroom, projects she is excited about, and the benefits of working at a community college.

Awakening students to their passion, while bringing the fullness and honesty of his experiences into the studio classroom, Brian Hitselberger, Assistant Professor of Painting and Printmaking at Peidmeont College, reflects on his habits as an artist and his values as an educator. We discuss virtuosity, vulnerability, the value of guest critics and how having conversations with students about tattoos can act as a gateway to discussing symbolic representation. In addition, Brian presents thoughtful and sincere personal reflections on his role as a parent and the reality of being a gay man living in the South.

A dynamic conversation with artist & educator, Meredith Starr, Assistant Professor of Visual Arts, The State University of New York (SUNY) Suffolk County Community College. We discuss her recent FATE regional event, staying observant, as well as her upcoming paper presentation at CAA in February. She shares a recent informal experiment she conducted with her Fall 2017 Drawing I sections. One section focused on the quality of their drawings-producing fewer drawings while spending more time on each drawing. The other section focused on producing a large quantity of quicker drawings during the semester. It will be challenging to avoid being inspired by Meredith’s enthusiasm, while she offers many tips & posses thoughtful questions about how creativity informs our daily lives as artists & educators.

Jessica Mongeon, Visiting Assistant Professor of Studio Foundations at Arkansas Tech University, discusses student habits, using technology in the classroom & strategies for creating inclusive learning environments at a time when social & political issues often alienate many.

Unpacking trends in foundations pedagogy, Emily Ward Bivens, Professor of Time-Based Art at the University of Tennessee, discusses the benefit of introducing students to performative activites, mentorship approaches that avoid forced or cheesy obligation and the challenges and adventures involved of juggling the role of artist, educator and administrator.

Colby Jennings, Assistant Professor of Art at Missouri State University, discusses time based media, digital tools, the value of international/study abroad programs & practical strategies for encouraging students to move past fear when making art.

Exploring practical tips on how she uses humor as a tool for creative thinking in the classroom, Heather Szatmary, Professor of Foundation Studies at Savannah College of Art and Design, explains why being comfortable with yourself as an instructor can benefit your curriculum development. We discuss current trends in foundations, projects she is excited about and what she has learned from twenty years of teaching.

Chung-Fan Chang, Assistant Professor of Art at Stockton University, reflects on her art education in Taiwan, the impact of verbal and non verbal communication in critiques with international students/faculty and shares projects she has developed that are informed by mark making, calligraphy and Chinese characters to encourage students to explore the elements and principles of design.

An honest conversation about staying curious with Thomas Albrecht, Assistant Dean in the School of Fine and Performing Arts, and Associate Professor in the Art Department, at the State University of New York at New Paltz. We discuss teaching as a choice & the urgency for real conversations & truthful introspection both in an art foundations classroom & beyond.

A dynamic conversation about inclusion, diversity and otherness with Allison Yasukawa, faculty, School of Critical Studies, California Institute of the Arts. We discuss practical tips for approaching foundations pedagogy with an eye towards embracing risk taking & building a safe learning environment for all students.

Amy Reidel, faculty member at both St. Louis Community College and Saint Louis University & FATE Shout Out Award Winner, discusses happiness, community engagement, privilege & practical tips for projects that encourage critical thinking.

Victoria Hoyt, Instructor at Metropolitan Community College & FATE Shout Out Award Winner, discusses practical take aways from the FATE conference, strategies for encouraging the habit of observation, self reflection, the value of mid-term evaluations & responding to a wide range of diverse backgrounds in the community college classroom.

FATE Leadership Award Winner, Scott Betz discusses mentorship, creativity and how teaching informs his ability to lead people both inside and outside of the classroom.

Episode 11: FATE Educator Award Winner, Rae Goodwin discusses "Failing Forward" in her own work and how that influences her teaching and interactions with students in the classroom.

FATE Educator Award Winner, M. Michelle Illuminato & FATE Shout Out Award Winner, Ralph Pugay discuss rebuilding foundations at Portland State University, community engagement, creating welcoming learning environments & how to encourage students to be present in the creative process.

While in Kanas City for FATE’s 16th Biennial Conference, we had the chance to have a thoughtful discussion about the ongoing choice to live a creative life & the artistic process with Enrique Martinez Celaya, artist, author and FATE’s 2017 keynote speaker. The conversation wanders & explores what it means to be authentic, have artistic success & find happiness in the studio, providing a unique relaxed point of view from this accomplished artist.

Get excited about the upcoming FATE Conference in Kansas City, as we discuss unique programming components, art venues, bars, bbq and all things KC culture with Caleb Taylor, Associate Chair of the Foundations Department at KCAI & the Co-VP for FATE’s 16th Biennial Conference and Alexandra Robinson, Foundations Coordinator & Gallery Director at St. Edward’s University, who happily claims Kansas City as her hometown. We reveal information about the Positive Space "Screen Scream Jamboree" events at the conference, where you can meet the podcast team, pitch us your ideas, add your voice to the podcast during our exclusive FATE conference interviews & make your own screen printed T-shirt with our fabulous podcast logo, or screen directly on the conference tote bag! This episode is jam packed with tips for making your conference experience a memorable one!

Episode 7: We discuss empowerment, mentorship, writing prompts & how to encourage people to play to their strengths, and all things foundations, with FATE President, Stacy Isenbarger, Assistant Professor of Art & Design, Foundations Coordinator at the University of Idaho.

Jessica Burke (JB), Georgia Southern University and Emily Sullivan Smith, University of Dayton thoughtfully discuss the role of a Foundations Coordinator, balancing administrative roles with teaching and the pros/cons of a unified foundations curriculum.

Thoughts on Positive Space. Last October, we had the opportunity to attend the SECAC conference in Virginia as well as the Mid-America College Art Association conference in Ohio and asked participants at the FATE affiliate sessions to consider what positive space means to them. Special thanks to Lily Kounen and Guen Montgomery for inviting us to gather these thoughtful reflections on positive space.

Carrie Fonder, University of West Florida and Jason Swift, Plymouth State University discuss a multi disciplinary approach to foundations including community engagement, assessing studio projects & art appreciation activities. They also cover time at Vermont Studios, and arm wrestling. In this episode we will also announce the FATE Shout Out award nominees and the three winners!!!

Art professors Jenna Frye and Ellen Mueller have a lively discussion about teaching foundations courses, time management skills and Janet Jackson.

Art professors Chris Ireland and Peter Reichardt have a lively discussion about teaching studio courses online, assessment and the possibilities of utilizing Pokemon in foundations projects.

Art professors Chris Ireland and Peter Reichardt have a lively discussion about teaching studio courses online, assessment and the possibilities of utilizing Pokemon in foundations projects.

Professor and author of "Launching the Imagination" discusses how she came to teach foundations, her teaching strategies and approach to teaching students with little background in art.