Getting Creative with Text

 Students at Millersville University enrolled in ART 221: Introduction to Art Education have been hard at work creating displays for the 5th floor of McNairy Library. Six displays will be available for viewing beginning March 23.

In partnership with Dr. Leslie Gates, assistant professor in art and design, and Tatiana Pashkova-Balkenhol, assistant professor and undergraduate research and instruction librarian, art students were given the challenge of creating artwork that revolved around the word, “text.”

“I chose this word based on the relationship between text and a library,” said Gates. “In addition, the word ‘text’ has so many interpretations beyond just printed words.”

The purpose of the project is to engage students in an open-ended project they could assign to their future art students. “In this assignment, I am modeling the type of teaching I will expect of them in future field placement experiences,” said Gates.

 This project sets up students for art in the real world. Gates served as the consultant for the students and Pashkova-Balkenhol acted as a museum curator. The students had to work with Pashkova-Balkenhol if they had logistical or practical questions about space or permissions.

“The library is always looking for collaborative projects that engage students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real world situations,” said Pashkova-Balkenhol. “As a public hub, the library has several spaces which art students can utilize to enhance their learning experiences and to showcase their art to a broader university community.”