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Home › News & Events › News › New studio aims to address racial justice

New studio aims to address racial justice

February 2, 2021

Arizona Arts launches the Racial Justice Studio with a new course to be offered in the fall, “Rehearsals in Anti-Racism,” taught by Drs. Amelia (Amy) Kraehe and Gloria J. Wilson, professors from the School of Art. The Racial Justice Studio is a new concept conceived as a hub for campus and virtual activities to promote a deep understanding of racism and anti-racism by centering artistic and creative practice.

Kraehe and Wilson co-founded the studio with Chelsea Farrar, curator of community engagement at the University of Arizona Museum of Art. 

Kraehe said the group was formed following the killings of several Black people, including George Floyd in May, and with support from College of Fine Arts Dean Andrew Schulz.  

Last spring Schulz called on the Arizona Arts community to challenge systemic injustice and use the power of the arts to affect change. 

“This is not a time to be quiet,” Schulz wrote. “Our promise is to speak up and take concrete action in this moment and beyond, because not to do so comes with a price. We stand with the victims of racism and anti-Blackness who experience the violence of social inequity often with fatal consequences. We will listen and support efforts to undo systemic injustice, and we invite you to hold us accountable as we pledge to focus on the power of art to create positive change.”

>> Arizona Arts stands in solidarity with social justice

Racial Justice Studio

The Racial Justice Studio was conceived to help Arizona Arts achieve three aims to: 

  1. Promote deep understanding of racism and production of anti-racist knowledge through creative practice and arts research broadly conceived; 
  2. Provide transformative learning opportunities and community engagement that build race-consciousness in and through the arts; and 
  3. Build connections, compassion, and co-conspiratorship among students, faculty, departments, initiatives, centers, and institutes within and beyond the Arizona Arts that share a commitment to anti-racism.

“Art studios are spaces of risk-taking, trying new things, and reflection-in-action,” said Farrar. “Racial justice is at the heart of this particular studio and has broad relevance to all the arts disciplines in Arizona Arts.” 

Dean Schulz feels that the Arizona Arts community is the perfect incubator to lead change through creative exploration and dynamic groups of educators who service both the public and University of Arizona students. 

“They’re starting with really impactful initial programs that focus on students, our faculty and staff, engaging in community, and really leading with their own expertise,” said Schulz 

Dr. Gloria J. Wilson installing “Blackademic,” her artwork featured in the 2019 Faculty Exhibition. From her artist statement, “In 2016, I made a doctoral gown as a response and metaphor to describe the intersections of my racial-ized and academic identity within a tenure-track faculty position.”
Rehearsals in Anti-Racism

The first initiative to come from the Racial Justice Studio is “Rehearsals in Anti-Racism,” which began to take shape in January 2021.

The course will engage students in personal, political, philosophical and aesthetic conversations about race, racism and their intersections with other markers of identity, by using workshop-style teaching methods that engage all the senses in  creative activities so conversations about race move beyond words to something more embodied and participatory.

This is a big initiative but the inaugural class, beginning in the fall, will be very small, with a max of 16 students. “There’s a certain kind of intimacy that needs to be created for racial dialogues to take place,” said Kraehe. “ And that requires vulnerability. Particularly when using artistic and creative methods, it means there’s an additional level of risk-taking that we’re asking of students.”

Kraehe’s scholarship, teaching and community engagement focus on how the arts and arts education can challenge, as well as reinforce, systems of inequality.

“When doing the work of raising racial consciousness, those who are interested and invested in the work understand that systemic transformation does not occur in the space of a single three-hour workshop. They understand that racism is endemic and that this work is on-going. Offering a course such as ‘Rehearsals’ allows for investment in a creative form of risk-taking. That risk-taking is necessary for developing the affective dimensions of understanding,” said Wilson. “Racial Justice Studio might be viewed as a  catalyst that sparks movement toward deeper engagement with race, racism, and anti-racism in and through arts modalities.”

Wilson’s work analyzes the cultural systems which work to produce race and racism, in general, and more specifically, examines constructions of racial representations across creative modalities and how these practices and processes work to reinscribe or resist systems of power. In addition to Rehearsals in Anti-Racism, the Studio is also pursuing two other initial programs:

  • Race/Remix – interdisciplinary dialogues with featured speakers and related podcast beginning this spring.
  • Creative Abolitionist Teaching (CAT) Fellows – an inter-level organizational network that brings together artists and educators who teach in schools and universities to develop anti-racist pedagogies and curricula using the lens of contemporary arts.

Farrar attests to the need for these programs. “I’m an alumna of the Art & Visual Culture Education program here at the School of Art, and I can speak to the need of teachers who are graduating with this critical focus in anti-racism and needing continued support and community when they go into the classroom and want to embed anti-racism into their teaching. As a museum educator, we too are in need of fellowship for this work. The Racial Justice Studio will begin to fill that need.”

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University of Arizona School of Art
4 weeks ago
University of Arizona School of Art

We are over the moon 🌙 to welcome Emily Miu as a first year student this fall!

At first, Emily's path to college was blocked by barriers that were steering her away from what she wants to explore and she considered not attending at all.

That changed after attending the Visions program offered by Scottsdale Arts. Through this program, Emily had the opportunity to work with professional artists and visited us for a workshop.

Through our partnership with Visions, we were able to offer Emily scholarships so she can start her journey as a Wildcat this August! Her parents were misty eyed at the Visions '22 opening reception, saying that she would likely not have attended college at all, if not for Visions and the School of Art!

"The scholarship opportunities I gained from this program made me change my major in college and goals for my academic future" - Emily Miu

Congratulations and welcome!
... See MoreSee Less

We are over the moon 🌙 to welcome Emily Miu as a first year student this fall!

At first, Emilys path to college was blocked by barriers that were steering her away from what she wants to explore and she considered not attending at all.

That changed after attending the Visions program offered by Scottsdale Arts. Through this program, Emily had the opportunity to work with professional artists and visited us for a workshop.

Through our partnership with Visions, we were able to offer Emily scholarships so she can start her journey as a Wildcat this August! Her parents were misty eyed at the Visions 22 opening reception, saying that she would likely not have attended college at all, if not for Visions and the School of Art!

The scholarship opportunities I gained from this program made me change my major in college and goals for my academic future - Emily Miu

Congratulations and welcome!
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University of Arizona School of Art
1 month ago
University of Arizona School of Art

We are looking for models for our fall courses!
arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/9951?c=arizona
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Model (On Call) (Part Time)

arizona.csod.com

Model for Art classes as scheduled/needed involving drawing from the figure.Applicants must be willing to pose partially clothed and nude for the dura...
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University of Arizona School of Art with Arizona Arts at University of Arizona School of Art.
2 months ago
University of Arizona School of Art

We're so proud of all of our 2022 graduates! This one holds a special spot in our hearts. ❤️

Lauren Paun is graduating with her BFA in Art & Visual Culture Education (emphasis on Community and Museums) and 3D Art. She has been a student employee in the School of Art for two years, working with our social media accounts. You might have talked to her about being featured here! Lauren has been an integral part of our team, doing a lot of heavy lifting to find the fabulous work y'all are creating and sharing it here.

"I would just like to say how grateful I am for the opportunity to have had such an incredible position within the School of Art; I loved supporting and promoting the amazing artists that attend this school and feel so lucky to be able to learn and create beside them. I have loved every minute working here for the past two years and we'll miss it terribly-- but I am so excited to continue my journey and pursue my career in museums. A special thank you to my friends, family, professors, and supervisors for the constant love and support!!"

We could fill encyclopedias with praise for Lauren but hopefully this small note of gratitude can be enough. Good luck!! 🥺😭
... See MoreSee Less

Were so proud of all of our 2022 graduates! This one holds a special spot in our hearts. ❤️

Lauren Paun is graduating with her BFA in Art & Visual Culture Education (emphasis on Community and Museums) and 3D Art. She has been a student employee in the School of Art for two years, working with our social media accounts. You might have talked to her about being featured here! Lauren has been an integral part of our team, doing a lot of heavy lifting to find the fabulous work yall are creating and sharing it here. 

I would just like to say how grateful I am for the opportunity to have had such an incredible position within the School of Art; I loved supporting and promoting the amazing artists that attend this school and feel so lucky to be able to learn and create beside them. I have loved every minute working here for the past two years and well miss it terribly-- but I am so excited to continue my journey and pursue my career in museums. A special thank you to my friends, family, professors, and supervisors for the constant love and support!!

We could fill encyclopedias with praise for Lauren but hopefully this small note of gratitude can be enough. Good luck!! 🥺😭Image attachmentImage attachment+4Image attachment
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Congrats, Lauren!! 🙌💐

Congratulations on a job well done. 👏Very proud of you and your accomplishments.

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University of Arizona School of Art with Arizona Arts at University of Arizona School of Art.
2 months ago
University of Arizona School of Art

Graduation celebrations continue! Let's hear it for one of our newest PhDs, Kasey Stuart! 🎓

"I'm Kasey Stuart and I am graduating with my PhD in Art History and Education. My research explores and questions preservice teachers' reliance upon social media as a resource for lesson plans. Currently, I am developing a program to help art educators critically analyze and amend lesson plans found online before they have brought into K-12 classrooms."

Thank you for doing this critical work that keeps teachers relevant to their students, while also making sure they are intentional and accurate!
... See MoreSee Less

Graduation celebrations continue! Lets hear it for one of our newest PhDs, Kasey Stuart! 🎓

Im Kasey Stuart and I am graduating with my PhD in Art History and Education. My research explores and questions preservice teachers reliance upon social media as a resource for lesson plans. Currently, I am developing a program to help art educators critically analyze and amend lesson plans found online before they have brought into K-12 classrooms.

Thank you for doing this critical work that keeps teachers relevant to their students, while also making sure they are intentional and accurate!Image attachment
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Congrats to Kasey!

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University of Arizona School of Art is at University of Arizona School of Art.
2 months ago
University of Arizona School of Art

We are so glad to see everyone enjoying the incredible work done by our MFA graduates in the 2022 MFA Show! Featured in the @uazmuseumofart is Venessa Ball and her intricate project titled Crosscut: Mining and domesticity, creating a life in spite of and because of the mine.

“As a mining state, Arizona is among the leading producers of copper in the United States.
These large operations required an extensive workforce, from laborers, to geologists, engineers, and company representatives. The mine would often provide housing, schoolhouses and
gathering spaces in the surrounding area, creating an entire town owned by the company itself. Like so many other small communities in America these “boomtown” economies were built on what they believed to be stable and consistent growth. Should the ore deposit run out or the company no longer have the funds to dig any deeper, what then happens to the community? What should also happen if the very commodity the mine needs to keep going just happens to be right under the ground on which they built the town? If you ask the former townspeople of Ray-Sonora, AZ… there is no more town. In 1966, their town was demolished to continue the mine operations.
Thirty years after Ray-Sonora was removed from the map, in 1996, the Magma Copper mine where my father and grandfather worked for decades—and that had provided so much stability for my family—officially closed, because it was deemed too costly to continue operations.
The only way my father could continue his career in mining was to relocate his family to another mining town. This wouldn’t be the last time this happened in my childhood. Chasing the ore was my father’s way of ensuring our family always had a stable and comfortable life.
The delicate patterns cut from family and historical photographs highlight the tension often felt by my family and so many mining families as they attempted to build a life in the shadow of a brutal and unstable industry, dependent on an unsympathetic capitalist economy.” - @venessaball
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We are so glad to see everyone enjoying the incredible work done by our MFA graduates in the 2022 MFA Show! Featured in the @uazmuseumofart is Venessa Ball and her intricate project titled Crosscut: Mining and domesticity, creating a life in spite of and because of the mine.

“As a mining state, Arizona is among the leading producers of copper in the United States. 
These large operations required an extensive workforce, from laborers, to geologists, engineers, and company representatives. The mine would often provide housing, schoolhouses and
gathering spaces in the surrounding area, creating an entire town owned by the company itself. Like so many other small communities in America these “boomtown” economies were built on what they believed to be stable and consistent growth. Should the ore deposit run out or the company no longer have the funds to dig any deeper, what then happens to the community? What should also happen if the very commodity the mine needs to keep going just happens to be right under the ground on which they built the town? If you ask the former townspeople of Ray-Sonora, AZ… there is no more town. In 1966, their town was demolished to continue the mine operations. 
Thirty years after Ray-Sonora was removed from the map, in 1996, the Magma Copper mine where my father and grandfather worked for decades—and that had provided so much stability for my family—officially closed, because it was deemed too costly to continue operations. 
The only way my father could continue his career in mining was to relocate his family to another mining town. This wouldn’t be the last time this happened in my childhood. Chasing the ore was my father’s way of ensuring our family always had a stable and comfortable life.
The delicate patterns cut from family and historical photographs highlight the tension often felt by my family and so many mining families as they attempted to build a life in the shadow of a brutal and unstable industry, dependent on an unsympathetic capitalist economy.” - @venessaballImage attachmentImage attachment+6Image attachment
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University of Arizona School of Art is at University of Arizona School of Art.
2 months ago
University of Arizona School of Art

“Small. Confused. And in Awe.”

In case you haven’t had the chance to see it yet, the 2022 MFA Exhibition is featuring this incredible body of work created by Florence Von Grote! The illustrations are based on treasured memories from the places Florence has lived. The little animals are stand-in protagonists inhabiting, exploring and experiencing dream-based worlds.

“Small. Confused. And in Awe. is based on memories of the places I have lived. Events, people, and places are contorted and blended together into a half-imagined/half-remembered architecture. The nod to children’s book illustration invites the viewer to blur the boundaries between animal and human, reality and imagination.” - @flovong

Featured images are:
Traveler
Progress photo
Cartographer
Gardener
Loiterer
Collector

We urge you to check out Florence’s amazing work in the @uazmuseumofart before the show ends on May 14!
... See MoreSee Less

“Small. Confused. And in Awe.” 

In case you haven’t had the chance to see it yet, the 2022 MFA Exhibition is featuring this incredible body of work created by Florence Von Grote! The illustrations are based on treasured memories from the places Florence has lived. The little animals are stand-in protagonists inhabiting, exploring and experiencing dream-based worlds. 

“Small. Confused. And in Awe. is based on memories of the places I have lived. Events, people, and places are contorted and blended together into a half-imagined/half-remembered architecture. The nod to children’s book illustration invites the viewer to blur the boundaries between animal and human, reality and imagination.” - @flovong 

Featured images are:
Traveler
Progress photo
Cartographer
Gardener
Loiterer
Collector

We urge you to check out Florence’s amazing work in the @uazmuseumofart before the show ends on May 14!Image attachmentImage attachment+3Image attachment
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