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. Andrew is an Assistant Professor at the Columbus College of Art and Design, where he is the Director of Core Studio.

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 talks 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 Integrative Teaching International. She received her MFA in Print Media from Cranbrook Academy of Art (MI) and earned her BFA from Columbus College of Art and Design (OH). Her work has been included in numerous exhibitions nationally, including the Athica Athens Institute, Jaffe and Friede Gallery, Hopkins Center, and the Cade Center for Fine Arts. Additionally, she serves as the VP of Programming for Integrated Teaching International.

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 Hanks. Guen Montgomery is a multidisciplinary artist whose work investigates identity through studies of gender, regional narrative and family mythology. Guen received her BFA from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and her MFA in printmaking from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Currently Guen lives in Urbana, IL, where she teaches art foundations and printmaking at The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Joshua Brinlee discusses his role as Foundations Coordinator at the University of Mississippi, the idea of living in the question and the tenure process. Joshua Brinlee received his MFA in Studio Art form Memphis College of Art. He was born in Morgan City, Louisiana and grew up in Franklin, Tennessee. Currently, he lives in Memphis, Tennessee and holds the position of Assistant Professor Foundations Coordinator in the Art and Art History Department at the University of Mississippi. He considers himself a multidisciplinary artist and has a deep passion for teaching foundations. Through a variety of media, Brinlee examines and challenges the societal constructs that inform and define culture, gender, and identity.

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.