By Anderson Colemon/south news editor
Photo courtesy Joshua Goode
South art students plan to sell their work at an art festival later this month to raise funds to help them study in Germany. The artwork, including paintings, drawings and sculptures, will be sold at the Fine Arts Festival in the fine arts courtyard March 26-27.
Art instructor Joshua Goode said the trip to Germany will last four weeks during the Summer II session and will offer painting and sculpture classes. He said he wants to provide the students with the same opportunity for global study as any other university.
“We partnered with an art institution in Germany, the Hilmsen Arts Network,” he said. “We now have dormitories, art facilities, a gallery and all of the amenities an art student could desire.”
In Germany, Goode said he plans for him and the students to explore various sites.
“For many, it will be their first time out of Fort Worth or on an airplane,” he said. “We will take the trains and buses to get around. We will visit key sites in Hamburg and Berlin as well as visiting Holocaust sites.”
During the stay, professors and students from German universities will visit the students to lecture, critique work and offer professional advice.
“I am also sure they will attempt to recruit some of our students to stay in Germany to finish their studies,” Goode said. “Germany is currently one of the most dynamic places for art in the world, and at the end of our trip, students will have a gallery exhibition in which they will showcase their artwork to the public.”
Art student Thomas Sarradet said this will be his first time to go to Germany and to leave the U.S.
“I’ve studied some of Germany’s art history, and so, for me, getting the chance to see what I’ve only read of is absolutely invigorating and inspiring,” he said.
Sarradet said beyond the conventional sightseeing and tasting new foods, he is excited for any potential cultural shock.
“I really enjoy moments where what you normally anticipate or understand is flipped on its head and puts you in a confused state forcing you to look at things from a fresh start,” he said. “That’s what I’m most excited for.”
He said he looks forward to meeting the locals and asking them how they view the world differently from Americans and how they view America.
“I’m interested to see how a new architectural and infrastructural setup will affect me psychologically on a day-to-day basis,” he said. “I’ve been studying German as well, so I’ll be ready to test my skill when the time comes.”
Fellow student Melisa Platt said this will be her first trip to Germany as well. She wants to have the experience of developing a large gallery display.
“I wish to learn bronze casting and work in several other studios that are going to be available to me, including pottery, glass, woodwork, welding and more,” she said. “I look forward to working with several other artists to collaborate ideas and make them happen.”
