INNOVATION TAKES NO BREAKS College of Communication and Fine Arts finds unique ways to carry on amid a global pandemic
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N AN ERA OF FACE MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING, NOTHING ON THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS CAMPUS SAID “SIGN OF THE TIMES” QUITE LIKE THE STATE OF THE CENTRAL TO THE ARTS HUB for most of 2020. While last year’s issue of Voices touted the dome-shaped building at the corner of Central Avenue and Patterson Street as a gateway to the UofM art scene that would soon provide student artists and musicians an opportunity to display and sell their work in a pop-up gallery format, the Central to the Arts Hub was transformed into the Health Center Hub. This walk-up COVID-19 testing center was established in spring 2020 under the guidance of Dr. Jane Clement and Campus Health Services. But despite the air of uncertainty surrounding the pandemic; students, faculty and staff banded together to maintain some form of normalcy. The following stories showcase just a few of the many ways that members of the College of Communication and Fine Arts deftly adapted to the global crisis in an effort to bring the best possible education to students.
ART EDUCATION COMES HOME
Department of Art provides materials to crafty students in quarantine The University of Memphis Department of Art Education helped students stay creative at home with a new “Art Education From a Box” program.
8 VOICES | UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
“I wanted to make sure that all of my students had an opportunity to participate in hands-on art education projects in addition to the written work they were doing,” said Dr. Bryna Bobick, associate professor of Art Education. Toward the end of March 2020, Bobick raided her closet to fill an array of shipping boxes with strips of felt, paints, different kinds of paper and vintage National Geographic magazines. To get these boxes in the hands of students, Bobick sought permission and assistance from Richard Lou, professor and chair of the Department of Art. Students would submit their work weekly to be posted to the UofM Art Education Instagram. “We had more than 50 students submit their mailing info on a volunteer basis,” she said. “It’s been a great way to stay in touch with our students and get the word out that they are still making art, even in spite of a pandemic. The reception and the support have been fantastic. The students have enjoyed it.” In addition, the Department of Art’s annual Spring Graphic Design Show, a showcase of work from graduating UofM seniors, premiered entirely online for the first time.
UofM piano major Adrian Gascue performs at the fifth annual Memphis International Piano Festival & Competition Concert in front of virtual instructor Dr. Mario Ajero, Professor of Piano at Stephen F. Austin State University.
Work sample from Dr. Bryna Bobick's "Art Education From a Box" program.
