On November 20, upper school Honors and AP Art students took a field trip to multiple places: the Cummer Museum, the Corner Gallery, and other local art studios. Art teacher Mrs. Gonzalez started planning the trip early in the semester.
“Mrs. Kuonen and I collaborated and we came across some interesting exhibits while looking across the Cummer website and recognized the exhibit from Wangechi Mutu,” Gonzalez said. “We specifically were looking for Spirit in the Land, an art piece about connecting humans and nature.”
The students first went to the Corner Gallery, which hosts the Moving the Margins Artist-in-Residence program.
“The students were to engage with the art exhibition and connect their experiences to artistic interests,” said Gonzalez.” “The goal was for them to choose three pieces of art that connect with their own personal artistic interests.”
Students heard from Moving the Margins artist Marcus Williams about his new exhibit Un-American Gods. “Marcus Williams talked to us about his background around Jacksonville and in Florida,” Gonzalez said. “He went to Stanton High School and graduated from the University of Florida, and he’s always had a love for art.”
The group then visited the Cummer Museum, then the Vault and Stellars galleries and the private studio of artist Mico Fuentes.
At the Cummer Museum, multiple artworks caught the attention of the students and teachers. “Spirit in the Land was a favorite because it felt relatable to many on the connection of nature and humans and inspired some of the students,” said Gonzalez. “It’s a traveling exhibit so it’s been presented at many galleries and art places, another interesting one is a jewelry piece made by Kathleen Ryan called Bad Lemon.”
Although the group saw many amazing artworks and exhibits, Gonzalez had a clear favorite.
“I was particularly excited to see Flying Root by Wangechi Mutu because it used adobe, a mixture of clay and paper. Also wood and cow horns are included in the piece which is really just cool to see and experience.”
Gonzalez was pleased to provide such a meaningful opportunity to Bolles art students. “The trip was a full day where students were able to experience art in a commercial setting, art in a museum setting, and a nonprofit with a social purpose in Moving the Margins,” she said.
“They had the opportunity to see themselves and the work and their future in art. That’s not the experience that ends the day of the trip, it helps form your ambition for the future.”
