Colby Art Museum workshops encourage artistic expressio

Colby students looking for new ways to relax during the rigorous academic semester can now add Colby Art Museum workshops to their list of coping mechanisms. The workshops encourage self-reflection and cultivate creativity, providing  healthy alternatives to unwind.  

 These small-scale workshops, often inspired by an artist’s works in the galleries, revolve around specific art techniques, such as drypoint or silkscreen printing. 

After walking through the exhibition, participants learn briefly about the necessary materials and steps that go into the art-making process. They then get the chance to apply their knowledge by creating their own unique artwork. 

These workshops are part of the Colby Art Museum’s effort to make art more accessible and interesting. They are available to both Colby students and visitors from outside the College, attracting a wide range of attendees. Participants vary from seniors citizens to art teachers to first-years looking to destress after midterms. 

Kris Bergquist, the Mirken Curator of Education and Engagement of the Colby Art Museum, explained the organizers’ intentions in creating the workshop series. 

“The practice of making art is a way of reflecting on art that you’ve looked at in the museum, and it’s a process that allows you to reflect on your own experiences,” Bergquist said. “When you move from looking at art in the museum to making art inspired by what you’ve seen, you get to know the works of art better.”

 The drypoint printing workshop was an excellent example of the Museum’s successful workshop series. Because the unfamiliar words “drypoint printing” can appear intimidating to beginners, the organizers were dedicated to making sure every participant had an enjoyable time, regardless of their skill level. 

Tricia Yang `25, a participant in the workshop, said that it not only provided a good opportunity to start exploring the Museum, but also allowed everyone to practice drypoint.

“I think it was a really good introduction to the museum, because we got to see the exhibition and go to the studio,” Yang said. “It’s hard to start something in art because a lot of the time you don’t have the resources. But the workshop was efficient and it made sure everybody had a chance to try.”

Beyond encouraging participants to familiarize themselves with Museum resources, the workshops also helped participants understand the exhibitions better. For instance, the drypoint printing workshop helped participants better appreciate the works of Mary Cassatt.

“The printmaking processes Mary Cassett used are not ones that most people have a chance to do,” Bergquist said. “In the exhibition you really get to see Mary Cassatt experiment with the printmaking process. So I wanted to give people the opportunity to see that they can also experiment with printmaking.”

By expanding the art-learning experience to both studying and making works of art, the workshops create an environment where participants can discover and share the joy of making art.

Lunder Institute for American Art Residential Fellow Adriane Herman led the drypoint workshop. She recalled watching a nurse exclaim excitedly as her creation came to life.

“I was delighted that some of the workshop participants were very enthusiastic. When things were going off the press, the nurse was saying ‘that’s spectacular!’ That sense of enthusiasm really spread,” Herman said.

By helping participants learn and appreciate art, the workshops help cultivate participants’ ability to appreciate artistic nuance that will accompany them throughout life. Physical processes, like drypoint printing, force each artist to notice how their actions can make a big difference on their artwork.

“I think noticing the subtlety of something is what keeps us human and compassionate,” Herman said. “Noticing detail is very important, whether people want to make more drypoints or not. It tunes us into the world and that seems like an important goal.”

The workshops have not always been hosted in-person, but COVID-19 did not prevent the Museum educators from striving to create meaningful learning opportunities. One of the first workshops was inspired by the exhibition Miracles on the Border: Retablos of Mexican Migrants to the United States during the Spring of 2020.

“We wanted to do an art-making experience with this exhibition because it was such a wonderful way of thinking about how you would tell your own story about something you felt was a significant moment of your life,” Herman said. 

Many students, staff, and community members enjoyed the workshop. To meet demand, the Museum hosted it again.

“People felt like it was something really special, and they wanted more of that opportunity to learn about an exhibition and also create art,” Herman said. 

 The Colby Art Museum offers amazing opportunities for students to get in touch with their artistic side and relieve stress. Beyond its pristine glass walls lies a treasure trove of new opportunities and experiences. 

The Colby Art Museum also offers many other educational programs. One of their current programs is called “Let Art Inspire,” a wellness initiative that focuses on using art to promote mental and physical health through yoga and meditation sessions. The Museum also gives out free create it kits to help students create art independently.   

It can be easy to overlook artistic development in a demanding academic setting. It is vital to remember that art can be a reflective process that allows the artist to spend time with themselves and develop creativity, a necessary skill for all disciplines.

~ Elaine Liu `25