Dominican Republic Graduate Capstone 2023
In 2023, I visited the DR to conduct teaching and research at a bilingual school and fair-trade business for the capstone of my MA in Art Education. My study focused on generating authentic art-making with limited resources and on exploring what it meant for me to be a visiting artist, teacher, and researcher abroad.
As an outcome of my study I created a bilingual Spanish-English “Art Passport” intended to promote literacy and creativity in learners ages 5-8, now available online.
I taught kindergarteners and second graders in Spanish and English. My lessons focused on drawing students’ attention to texture and color around them using simple materials and simple English vocabulary.
During my trip, I documented the people and places around me in my sketchbook. I paid attention to my surroundings and to how people interacted with me while I was drawing.
After my trip I created a series of studio artworks reflecting upon my experiences. I used instant coffee as coffee is readily available in the DR.
After working with coffee for a time, I also created reflective artworks in my preferred medium of textile design.
