Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Publication Date

Spring 3-27-2024

College

Watkins College of Art

Department

Art, Department of

BURS Faculty Advisor

Amanda Rogers Horton

Presentation Type

Article

Abstract

This is a body of work created to make sense of my place as an art educator in an age of hyper-individualism, heteronormativity and strict gender binary. I propose that the most meaningful way to move forward is by placing more importance on the role of the collective, or the act of people coming together over shared experience and finding power in numbers. My work offers an optimistic perspective that centers love, acceptance, community and diversity. Through my work as an educator, I’m inspired to create in a way that nurtures a child-like and illustrative approach that simplifies forms and relies on color and a variety of materials to express emotion. My research explores the role of art education as a tool for activism and art educators as leaders in shifting culture. I’m interested in the effects of dismantling gender stereotypes at an early age and how our systems of education and visual media play a role in deconstructing harmful gender tropes. Through the act of making and through supported research, this essay and exhibited works make a direct statement in opposition to the most restrictive and disconnected elements of our society and offers a solution that originates in self-love and forgiveness, and opens a conversation about how we can benefit from the power of collectivism and creating safe spaces.

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