This fall, the Portland Museum of Art wanted to give visitors the opportunity to see the creative process at work. To make the process visible, they turned to MECA&D for help in creating educational programming from the emerging artist perspective. Based on the strength of their studio work and their aptitude for teaching, Painting faculty member Gail Spaien selected four seniors for the project: Maggie Muth, Nikki Stroumbos, Meghan Gervasio, and Hannah Godbey.
They spent months visiting the museum to find inspiration for their own work that will serve as the basis for a family workshop during February break. The workshop will help visitors see the life cycle of a work of art -- from getting inspired, to making sketches, to working on a piece, to the final product that hangs on the wall.
Gail noted, “There is an inner life to the artist’s process that museum goers usually don’t get to see. Museums present finished work. It’s when artists are making stuff that we are passionately engaged. Each time I produce work for an exhibit, as soon as it see it hung in the gallery I’m on to the next project. I experience an openness in my thought process when I’m designing a project or problem solving a painting. Seeing a piece completed uses my brain in a totally different way—much less fun. A family activity like this encourages adults and children to experience their own imagination. Instead of aiming for a single, correct solution to a problem, it’s okay to come up with multiple answers. Everyone accesses their intuition and reasoning skills. Those who come to this event get to be creative, create, and have a glimpse into what occurs in an artist’s studio.”