The School of Art in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences recently welcomed over 40 high school students to a virtual and in-person summer art workshop. High school students from across the state, Tennessee and Louisiana received an in-depth look into the opportunities at the U of A School of Art and attended a studio art class taught by artists and School of Art faculty.

The School of Art is able to offer summer workshops to high school students at no cost, thanks to the generous $120 million gift the school received in 2017 from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation. 

"Hosting summer workshops for high school students from across the state and region at no cost contributes to the mission outlined in the gift agreement with the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation," said Gerry Snyder, executive director of the School of Art. "We hope these students will attend the School of Art one day, but we also hope they have experienced art in a new accessible way and this experience will have significant positive impact to their education."

Director of recruitment and outreach, Donna Jones, created the in-person summer workshops in 2019 and then transitioned to a virtual format in 2020. 

This year Jones offered both options to students.

"Our hope was to be able to bring students back to an in-person format, including the opportunity for students to stay on campus overnight throughout the week," Jones said. "When we learned we would be able to make this hope a reality, students were just as thrilled as we were, and within a few weeks our enrollment capped out and we had a waiting list of students in case others cancelled."

Jones said they kept the virtual workshop to accommodate those unable to meet in person and to have an option for students on the wait list for the in-person workshop.

She also said both workshops had a new energy throughout the weeks. Students were thrilled to learn new artistic skills, meet and collaborate with peers that have similiar passions and the in-person students expressed gratitude of simply being in-person.

Both workshops gave students a unique look into the School of Art and life as a college student. Current art students, hired as peer ambassadors, attended each workshop serving as mentors and activity facilitators. 

High school students also heard from offices and colleges across campus, learning about available resources, opportunities and the admission process.

They met local artists and experienced local art exhibitions at The Momentary, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and Interform Assembly exhibitions, a month-long multimedia art experience in downtown Springdale.

"We strive to give students a holistic view of the college experience, art education, career opportunities and access to local artists and world-class museums like Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art," Jones said. "Student participation and the work they create during the week truly exceed our expectations. It is a rewarding week for everyone involved."

The highlight for most students is attending a studio art class taught by artists and School of Art faculty. This year they were given the opportunity take a class in ceramics, drawing, photography or textiles.

Rebecca Drolen, second from right, an assistant professor of art and head of photography, joins students during an exhibition as art of the Summer Workshop.

At the end of the week, the workshops closed with an exhibition showcasing the students work created in their studio art classes. Whether the work was displayed in the Fine Arts Center or in a virtual gallery, students were excited share the lessons and creations of the week.

Audiences are invited to see the virtual exhibition, Almost United, by students in the online workshop at artsteps.com.

The School of Art would like to give a special thanks to all of the contributors that made these summer workshops a success:

• Admissions Office
• Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education
• Creative Arkansas Community Hub & Exchange
• Honors College
• Interform Assembly
• Ozark Catering and Chartwells
• Study Abroad & International Exchange
• University Housing, Adohi Hall