The New York City program is unique from the Ithaca experience in many ways. Fine Arts majors sign up for some familiar classes such as Art History and a studio course, but also take a couple that may seem quite mysterious and different from those back in Ithaca. The Professional Practice and New York City Contemporary Seminars may, at first glance, seem like fairly standard critical theory or visual studies courses, but actually are incredibly helpful sneak peeks into the often frustratingly inaccessible professional art world. Professional Practice, taught by historian Jane Farver, is geared toward professional skill building, career opportunities, and a behind-the-scenes look at museums and galleries. The NYC Seminar, taught by artist Jane Benson, is a compliment to this—focusing instead on an artist’s perspective and featuring studio visits, artist’s talks, and the cultivation of a unique and introspective standpoint on what being an artist means today. So what does a “normal” Thursday look like for the B.F.A. students studying in New York City? Here’s a brief look at last Thursday (2/6):
10:30am- The Professional Practice class gathers at the Bronx Museum and meets Lia Zaalof, a Bronx Museum curator who speaks about the Artists in the Marketplace program that has transformed the careers and practices of a multitude of successful artists since 1981.
11:15am- We are introduced to Holly Block, the Executive Director of the museum and the co-commissioner of the United States pavilion at the 2013 Venice Biennale. The class had the chance to discuss everything from how to ensure community engagement in an art museum to the challenges of representing the United States in one of the most renowned art festivals in the world.
12:30pm- An exhibit of Tony Feher’s work is on view in one of the galleries downstairs. Curator Lia Zaalof treats us to a special tour of this curiously beautiful exhibition.
2:00pm- After a quick lunch on the subway over, we meet professor Jane Benson at Greene Naftali Gallery in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan for our second class of the day—NYC Seminar. Our readings this week related to the changing place of painting in a post-genre, anti-hierarchical art world. On view were paintings by renowned Scottish artist, Michael Fullerton.
3:00pm- Next, we went across the street to another famous Chelsea institution, James Cohan Gallery, to see and discuss Ingrid Calame’s latest large scale wall drawings.
3:30pm- Finally, we head to famed sculptor, painter, and videographer, Robert Melee’s studio to meet him and learn about both his recent work and the path he took to get where he is today. This inside look at his journey from art school to exhibiting in galleries and museums internationally while receiving critical acclaim from such publications as the New York Times and ARTFORUM, was truly inspirational and a rare opportunity.
5:00pm- Classes are over and we all scatter to head back to AAP NYC, apartments, dorms, or art supply stores to begin work for Friday’s morning studio.
