I had the pleasure of attending the first international conference on Blacks Studies in Art and Design Education this past weekend. The conference took place at Parsons The New School of Art and Design in New York City. This two day event was organized by interdisciplinary artist and author Coco Fusco and designer and scholar Yvonne Watson both staff members at Parsons.
The conference was made up of several panel discussion, which each discussion in themselves could have lasted the whole duration of the conference.
Hot topics I was especially interested in was curricular reform and the black student experience in and out of the classroom.
Panelist included to name a few Michele Washington, Craig l. Wilkins, Susan Cahan and Stephen Burks.
Food for thought:
How can I use my craft and creativity to address the world’s problems? I know that heavy!
I feel this is my responsibility to use my life to make a contribution for positive change.
I am an artist and maker. How can I use these skills in art, craft and food to create a better life for myself and others.
I would love to be apart of creating a scholarship fund to help people of color go to art school.
Leslie king–Hammond mention the book The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind
in her speech. And she shared several wise saying and proverbs including this one:
in her speech. And she shared several wise saying and proverbs including this one: “Take what you have and make what you want “ Gullah proverb. Noel Mayo gave reference to Banker To The Poor by Muhammad Yunus.
The conference raised some huge issues and points that could not be answered in just the two days. Overall, I think the myth of becoming a starving artist is not a myth at all but a reality. We have to create strong networks so that we can be aware of job, exhibition and educational opportunities. I feel art and design education has to be pared with business and entrepreneurship training as well. When I graduated from art school I had no idea what I was going to do. I remembered my ceramics teacher in high school telling me strait up "the only way you can make money with this is to teach."
I would love to hear thoughts and comments on this topic from The Etsy Artist of Color Community (members, supporters and readers)!
Contributed by
Shevon
www.shevongantceramics.etsy.com
www.potsanddishes.blogspot.com
www.shevongantceramics.com
5 comments:
It sounds live a very interesting conference. I defintitelty agree with the points you made about the importance of networking and funding.
You also said: "How can I use my craft and creativity to address the world’s problems?"
This is something that I am constantly thinking about as well, as I would like my creative work in some way to be able to make a positive difference to the world's problems, and not be just about "making stuff". Which is why I believe that artists and craftspeople should not shy away from building strong, viable and influential businesses with their respective skills.
Definitely food for thought. I went to Parsons and more diversity is definitely an issue professor Jesse Villalobos was trying to tackle there. I would have definitely been at this conference! Will keep my eye out for the next one..
Thanks both of you for your comments. I believe that EAOC can play apart in inspiring and helping people of color to make difference.
There are members of EAOC all over the world now. In regards to creating a strong network we can start small by meeting up with other members in our areas. Start local and who knows how large it can grow. And with that growth other benefits can come from it.
I agree with Lisa so many of us in so many different places and meeting up in small groups would a great idea...
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