Pandemic Art School
Students share what the last year of learning has been like
By: Miranda Carroll
In one of my seminar courses last January my professor, in the middle of describing the size of a manuscript, stopped himself and said “you know what, it’s easier if I just show you.” So, he asked one of my classmates to run upstairs to his office and find his facsimile copy. Then we passed it around as we carried on with our debate over its possible patron and function.
Now, a full year into the pandemic, I find myself missing exchanges like that more than ever. I miss the feeling of physically interacting with the object you are talking about—even if it’s just a copy—or of free discussion not hinging on a virtual raised hand or muting and unmuting your microphone. I miss looking at work in print in an exhibition catalogue not backlit by the light of my computer screen.
But how does this loss of the physical learning spaces and shared tactile experiences affect artists in art school? How have their practices changed with no access to studio spaces or facilities? How has it been learning to make works from home that, for the most part, are intended to be experienced in person?
For many art students, it looks like a loss of feelings of collectivity in processes of creation that art school fostered. Feeling dislocated from professors, classmates, and studio spaces. And for some, it looks like burnout. Still, despite these unfortunate circumstances many students have used this time away from being physically at school to step back, and recenter their practices. Below are the thoughts from students in art school from several different universities across Canada.
Miranda Carroll: In general, what do you like and dislike about taking art classes online?
“To be honest there isn’t too much that I like about online courses. Not being able to use the university’s tools/equipment is a big bummer, so is the lack of communication with my peers. It’s also nice that I haven’t had to spend as much money on transit (having to commute from Hamilton to Toronto).” Maya McKeag, Design in Illustration with a Minor in Printmaking, 4th Year, OCADU.
“There is a HUGE loss in translation between instruction and interaction. Practicing making art is such a vulnerable thing to do and it is crucial to create a space where experimentation, mistakes, and achievements can be celebrated, which the studio lends itself well to.” Liam Mullen, Visual Studies, 3rd year, University of Toronto John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.
“I hate to say it but in all honesty there's not a whole lot that I like about taking art class online. I think dancers especially are feeling very disconnected from our craft right now. The logistical issues of online class are obvious, but beyond that, dance is inherently communal, and that community just doesn't exist in the same way through zoom. Without being able to feed off of the energy of other bodies in a space.” Barbara Simms, Performance Dance, Fourth year, Ryerson University.
“My likes: Not having to commute 1 hour each way to campus for a “studio class”, Getting to work in my Pjs, and taking constant snack breaks. Dislikes: Missing new connections with other artists and people I would meet in person on campus.” Abi Taylor, Visual Arts, 4th year, Emily Carr University of Art and Design.
MC: How, if at all, has your art making practice changed since the pandemic began?
“There's a lot of pressure around constantly producing work as an artist, and that's something I've always held myself to and always failed at. I don't think I've found my voice as an artist yet, so I think the past year has allowed me to kind of fall off the tracks a little, and kind of just exist without thinking: what's next? What's my style? What's my message? I've spent a lot of time finding my curiosity again, letting myself kind of be aimless and non-productive, and just looking and listening to things that I enjoy and inspire me.” Marcus Marriott, Drawing and Painting with a Minor in Art History, 4th year, OCADU.
“I really miss screen printing! I feel that my practice has become a lot more digital, and I miss the physicality of creating. I find it has also really affected my inspiration and content.” Maya McKeag, Design in Illustration with a Minor in Printmaking, 4th Year, OCADU University.
“My art practice has changed in both positive and negative ways. I think my dance practice has lost a lot of rigor, both physically and creatively. However, I think the pandemic gave me the opportunity to step back from “hustle culture” for the first time in years and I was able to reflect on the fact that benign a “good dancer” doesn’t have to mean burnout.” Barbara Simms, Performance Dance, 4th year, Ryerson University
“I have become a lot more prolific in my practice, as I took the first semester of the 2020/2021 year off to focus on my artistic work. I had a big block in the first quarantine, so I tried to force myself to create every day.” Liam Curran, Illustration, 4th year, OCAD.
MC: Have your assignments been altered to accommodate online learning? How have they changed?
“Performances have obviously been altered. We’re each simultaneously presenting a full length solo out of our windows (for whoever happens to walk by), along with a film aspect to the project. This is a replacement for what is usually a very traditional type of dance performance.” Barbara Simms, Performance Dance, 4th year, Ryerson University
“I can't say I have adapted, to be honest. I have made a personal decision that I will not graduate or complete my thesis online. Therefore, I have to defer next year as it will be my final year. As a curator, my learning thrives when I'm in the studio watching visual artists do their thing and witnessing their process.” Marisa Kelly, Visual and Critical Studies minor in Creative Writing, 3rd year, OCAD.
“There have certainly been some drastic changes to assignments and courses, although the material is then pushed into a new critical and creative framework! The program that I am in is geared towards intermedia experimentation and figuring out what visual language is best for answering a question that you (the artist) may have.” Liam Mullen, Visual Studies, 3rdyear, University of Toronto John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.
MC: What have your experiences adapting been like?
“It's been difficult to adapt in respect to painting practice. I've always kind of been a sardonic painter, I think reading too much critical art theory when I got to OCAD kind of broke my romantic vision of painting. So, I was really disillusioned at the beginning of 2020. I thought: How can I go on painting at all when the world is so broken? It felt so silly. Adapting has just meant letting myself be naive enough to still enjoy things, to enjoy the simple act of painting. I think as an artist you have to be naive to make any art at all, knowing that it might not change the entire world, but it's still worth doing if it makes you feel good.” Marcus Marriott, Drawing and Painting with a Minor in Art History, 4th year, OCADU.
“Waves of booze and exercise.” Natalie Wesselius, Drawing and Painting, 4th year OCADU.
MC: People have been running into all kinds of problems working over Zoom. Have you had any particularity silly or interesting things happen because of remote learning, particularly as it relates to your experience as an art student?
“Oh gosh. This one time I didn’t realize my mic was on, and my mom and I were shit talking the prof about how boring he is… Luckily it was during a 15min break, but I'm still not sure if he heard us or not.” Abi Taylor, Visual Arts, 4th year, Emily Carr University of Art and Design.
“When my mom has been over, she likes to peak her head around the corner and eavesdrop. She’s a bit of a character so it’s been funny when she butts into my classes.” Natalie Wesselius, Drawing and Painting, 4th year OCADU.
MC: Is there anything else you want to talk about or add?
“The “digital commute” is just... dreadful. Last semester I had 8 different platforms that I needed to have a presence on each week including: Discord, Teams, Zoom, BB collaborate, Blackboard, etc. It is exhausting waking up and travelling from one portal to the next.” Liam Mullen, Visual Studies, 3rd year, University of Toronto John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.
“I am grateful for covid it has opened up so many conversations at my school in terms of systemic racism, sexism, and much more.” Sadie Segriff, Performance Dance, 4th year, Ryerson University.
Miranda Carroll is completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto majoring in Art History and English Literature. Originally from Hamilton, she now lives in Toronto. In addition to her studies, Miranda has written and illustrated for the Victoria College newspaper and The Hamilton Review of Books. Graduating in May, she is excited for whatever the future holds.
