February 5th The Art of Stillness

 I know this may seem like an easy or light beginning. It may seem like it is silly. Yet, I believe we have to build a foundation of  attention before we can  invite craft into our lives. We have to suspend our previous judgements on its value as art and as such its place within an art school. This takes time and it takes a new way of looking. To literally begin to see with your heart, to find your sense of detail, to accept your memory of kindness  and most importantly to allow yourself  joy within  process.
For this week read "The Art of Stillness". Sit with it for a while. Share what you think about it. Be honest, there are no wrong responses. I am curious to see what you think not what you think I might want to hear.

Jan. 29th, Tell Me A Story

So you may have noticed that we are beginning at an easy pace. This is with purpose. First, I want you to breathe, literally, to take a deep breathe and let go of stress/ expectations from work/ self judgement. Second, I want to give you time to gather the books and find a copy of the one issue of the Craft in America series. Thirdly, I want you to begin to allow time to dream in/with crafts.

This weeks assignment is to tell me a story about a piece of craft in your life. Make it come alive. Share how it was made, what it feels like, smells like, how you use it, what you know about its history, what stories you have heard. Then add a little bit of research....not much...not to take away the beauty of what you are sharing but to help those of us who have not had the opportunity to have the same work of the hands.  If there is no craft you can think of then make up one....a good story is a good story!

syllabus

Spring 2017

Art 5360 Seminar in Art Education: “Traditional Studio Crafts”

Future Akins-Tillett, Associate Professor of Art

future.akins@ttu.edu

Last day to drop a class without a penalty

Feb 2, 2017

Catalog Description

Topics very per course from faculty research to publication processes, ecology, technology, interpretation, and issues of power, privilege, and ideology. May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites

Graduate standing and permission of instructor.

Overview of Class

This class will explore the history of contemporary studio crafts in America and the impact crafts have had on art education.

You weekly posts over assigned material are due by midnight on Sunday. You will have till the following Tuesday at midnight to respond to fellow classmates. I encourage to use this opportunity to develop meaningful dialogs with your colleagues. I will read and comment on each of your main entries and at times will add comments to the dialogs.

I ask you to listen to and learn from each other. This is not a place to dominate or to be judgmental. We will be looking at a rich and exciting history usually left out of universities art studies.

If you are late posting, post in the current week’s section. Do not attempt to go back and post. Simply identify the reading you are responding to, such as “Based on Chapter 2, I ……..”.

Required Readings/ Review Material

The Art of Stillness/Adventures in Going Nowhere, by Pico Iyer

Makers/A History of American Studio Crafts, by Janet Koplos and Bruce Metcalf

Craft In America/ Series from PBS, one episode of your choosing

Final Project/Essay Due

For a final exam you are to create a work of art (your choice of medium) inspired /influenced by the readings. In addition, you will write a short essay (500-700 words) describing your process, reasoning, and /or focus for the work created.

 If at anytime an issue develops and you feel a need to contact me directly or privately do not hesitate to write me at future.akins@ttu.edu.

Outcomes

1. Students will examine the history of American studio crafts.

2. Students will compare the information gained with the previous knowledge from their art classes.

3. Students will apply the gained knowledge to their own creative practice.

Assessments

1.Students will be able to reflect, analyze and discuss contemporary/ traditional approaches to studio crafts through their weekly writings.

2.students will review contemporary crafts as presented through the Craft in America series.

2.Students will create a work of art in response to the readings/reviews. In addition, students will write a summative essay, 500- 700 words, based their art work and art processes.

Attendance Policy

Your attendance is necessary in order to make this class a successful learning experience. If you know you will be unable to respond on the blog during the set time it is your responsibility to notify me in advance and make arrangements to make up work. Continued absences will have a direct impact on your grade. You are expected to respond to the postings within the week in order to have a continuous dialog. Responding late, in bulk messages, is unfair and puts the other students at a disadvantage. Your grade will reflect this practice.

Absence due to officially approved trips.

The Texas Tech University Catalog states that the person for a student missing class due to a trip should notify the instructor of the department in advance of the trip. The may not be penalized and is responsible for the material missed.

Religious Holy Days (O.P. 34.19)

“Religious holy days” means a holy day observed by a religion whose place of worship are exempt from property taxation under Tax Code 11.20. A student who intends to observe a religious holy day should make that intention know in writing to the instructor prior to the absence. A student who is absent from classes for the observance of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that within a reasonable time after the absence. A student who is excused may not be penalized for the absence; however, the instructor may respond appropriately if the student fails to complete the assignment satisfactory.

American with Disabilities Act

Any student, who because of a disabling condition may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements, should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make any necessary accommodations. Students should present appropriate verification form Student Disability Services to the instructor. Please note instructors are to provide classroom accommodations to a student until appropriate verification from Student Disability Services office at 335 West Hall or 806.742.2405 (American with Disabilities Act, July 26,1990).

Health and Safety Policy

Every effort will be made to comply with the intent of state laws or act sand the University Health and Safety Program in an effort to maintain a safe academic and working environment. Information and awareness of safety factor will be included in course content.

Civility in the Classroom

Students are expected to assist in maintaining an online classroom environment that is conductive to learning. In order to assure that all students have an opportunity to gain from time spent in class, inappropriate behavior such as vulgarity, personal attacks, or attempts to intimidate another student within the online posts and responses shall result in minimally a request to leave the class.

Conflict Resolution The Student Resolution Center is available to assist students with any conflict or problem that has to do with being a student at Texas Tech University. You may visit the Student Resolution Center in the Student Union Building or call 742-4791

Academic Integrity  “It is the aim of the faculty of Texas Tech University to foster a spirit of complete honesty and high standard of integrity. The attempt of students to present as their own any work not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a most serious offense and renders the offenders liable to serious consequences, possibly suspension” (2011-12 Texas Tech Student Handbook, page 8). “Academic dishonesty” includes, but it not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsifying academic records, misrepresenting facts, and any act designed to give unfair academic advantage to the student.” (For the specific definitions of Academic Misconduct, see 2011-2012 Texas Tech Student Handbook, page 28). This includes, but is not limited to, submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor or the attempt to commit such an act.

Semester Mapping

All posts are due by midnight on Sundays.

Jan 22               Introductions. Share a little something about who you are: do you teach (where, what level), and what kind of art do you make? What do you hope to get out of this class? Most importantly what do you think about crafts at this time? What were you taught about crafts? This is our beginning point.  Be honest. Do not write what you think I want to hear.

Jan 29               Share a story about a piece of craft work you treasure. Describe the piece with HxWxD, medium. Attach a photo if you can. The story may be true or it can be from your imagined life.    

Feb 5                  The Art of Stillness. Briefly tell me what you gained from this book and how it is related to craft making and /or teaching.

Feb 12                Review one program from the Craft in America series. Share the craft or theme your choice covered and what you liked/disliked about the program.

For the following 11 weeks you will be reading “Makers”.

For each chapter answer the following three questions: What

surprised you? What impressed you? What are you taking away

with you?” Site the page number(s) that support your answers.

If you look up a site on the internet, feel free to share but tell us

about the site do not just tell us to go to the site. I want to know

what you think.

Feb 19   Chapter 1 and preface

Feb 26   Chapter 2

Mar 5   Chapter 3

Mar 12  Spring Break. A good time to begin work on final project

Mar 19  Chapter 4

Mar 26  Chapter 5

Ap  2   Chapter 6

Ap 9   Chapter 7

Ap 16 Chapter 8

Ap 23   Chapter 9

Ap 30  Chapter 10

May 7 Chapter 11

May 14  Your final project ( art work and essay)

Grade Rubric

Postings and responses (12 x 5 points)      60

Review of DVD                                                20

Individual Art work                                           10

Essay over art work                                          10

90-100               A

80-89                 B

70-79                 C

60-69                 D

Below 60            F

Suggestions for further readings

Overall Techniques

The Homemade Life or The Craft Companion, by Ramona Barry and Rebecca Jobson

Clay

Rozanne Swentzell: Extra-Ordinary People, Gusie Fauntleroy, 2002

Glass

Fire into Ice: Adventures in Glass Making, James Houston, 1998

Wood

Against the Grain, Lowey Sims, 2012

Metals

Bedazzled: 5000 years of Jewelry , The Walter Art Museum, Sabine Albersmier, 2005

Fiber

Scrape the Willow Till It Sings, Deborah Valoma, 2013

Greetings

Welcome to this exciting class that looks at the rich history of American Studio Crafts. I hope each of you takes this time to meander through this history and allow your artheart to go wild with imagination that will inform your own studio work. Read over the attached syllabus. If you have any questions contact me at future.akins@ttu.edu.  Your first response is due Jan 22th. And then there is a second response due before we get to the books. This gives you time to purchase the two class books and find a copy of one series from Craft in America.