Being an Artist at Duke (and in life)

Ever since I was a toddler, I have been an artist. In sixth grade,

I created my first portrait (of Taylor Swift), which sparked

my passion for portraiture and other drawings. Every time I

finished a new drawing, I brought it in for my classmates to

see. There was something so exciting and gratifying about

the way their faces lit up after seeing my work.

Since then, art has been a central part of my identity. At some

moments, it becomes a priority, something at the forefront of

my mind; at others, it acts as more of a hobby. I attended a

very academic private high school, where my main focuses

were good grades and STEM-related activities. But every

Saturday, I found solace at my 3-hour art classes, where I could

express this essential side of myself.

People have always been surprised to find that my two main

interests are math/computer science and art/music. When I

explain how much I enjoy both sides of myself, most people

say that they haven’t met many people so drawn to both

quantitative studies and art. But I have always loved using

both right and left sides of my brain. Honestly, I think that

my interest in math has helped my art, and vice-versa. Years

of drawing and painting classes have given me patience and

attention to detail, which I apply to problem solving in more

quantitative areas of my life.

Coming into Duke this year, I promised that I wouldn’t let

myself lose my love for the arts. Through playing violin in

the orchestra and taking Intermediate Drawing, I have kept

this promise. I’ve also made an effort to experience art forms

outside my comfort zone, like Hoof ‘n Horn musicals and

dance performances. Going to these performances makes me

so happy; it’s amazing to see how incredibly talented Duke

students are. I always encourage my friends to go to these

performances because I do think art is an important part of

the Duke experience. Dance showcases like Street Medicine

and DefMo are always packed for a reason: Duke students are

just so talented and it’s important to celebrate and appreciate

that.

The community of artists at Duke is, at first glance, almost

hidden. But through closer inspection, I’ve found that there

are artists everywhere. When I talk about my love for music

and art, I almost always find people who share these interests

in some way. Not everyone chooses to participate in the arts,

but most at least watch. And from watching, even just one

orchestra concert or dance performance or visual art

exhibition, students can become involved in the arts.

On Being an Artist at Duke

Art at Duke-

Being an artist at Duke is at once a challenge and an opportunity. While it is true that Duke offers unparalleled resources for artists-- state of the art facilities for performing and visual arts, along with countless chances to experience and participate in the art of world-class professionals-- art can oftentimes feel secondary at a school so intently focused on academic prowess, cutting-edge research and athletic achievement. In an environment where the stresses of career prospects, social pressures, and personal distinction are constantly present, it is easy to see how art often takes a back seat, akin to a form of recreation or therapy rather than a serious study.

The undeniable truth is that extraordinary artists need time and focus to be able to create successful and valuable art, neither of which are abundantly available to most Duke students. If being an artist were as simple as participating in a certain craft, then the majority of Duke students would fit this descriptor-- most students will surely make an exploration into some form of art while at Duke, whether in the form of  a dance group or visual arts class or comedy troupe or symphony orchestra. Duke, for its part, provides as many opportunities and resources for these fields to be explored as any other major university, whether it be through beautiful facilities, experienced professors, or the best tools that money can buy. Being an artist, though, takes more than exploration. Being an artist takes a devotion that cannot easily be taught, and will never be taught properly at a school that places so much emphasis on academic legacy and professional prestige. At Duke, students are encouraged to explore the arts, but not to BE artists.

In this way, Duke will never be an "arts school." Though the university may attract talented students by channeling more and more funding into artistic resources, successful artists can only be born in areas where they are not only allowed but encouraged to devote themselves fully to art. At the end of the day, most Duke students did not come to the school solely on the basis of their art; likely the ones who included artistic elements in their applications did so in a supplemental way, just as most Duke students only supplement their career interests with artistic endeavors. The fields of visual and performing arts likely will never appeal to the university as promotable areas of study as long as they remain less respected and lucrative careers.

There is certainly a community of art patronage, or "tourism" at Duke, but the university has very little invested in creating a community of actual artists. Perhaps Duke is fulfilling an obligation by expending plenty of resources to campus arts (a more cynical person might say the school is simply trying to appear more attractive to multifaceted students in whom it sees large returns), but little will be done to create a community of devoted and serious artists at the university until Duke offers the same preparation for students to be professional artists that it offers students hoping to be doctors, consultants, and engineers.

On Being an Artist at Duke

There is a common perception at Duke that the study of art, and therefore the artists, are pushed aside in favor of more quantitative careers such as STEM or economics. This is only somewhat true in my experience. It’s true that Duke likely does not allocating the same amount of funding to the arts as it does to research grants in other fields (not to mention sports), but I have found that the general perception of the arts among Duke students is surprisingly positive. I know many people who are interested in taking art classes or who have taken art classes, and I know many people take advantage of the DUUArts week. I believe that art is an important part of the Duke experience for many people, whether they are choosing to pursue a career in art, produce art as a one of their main interests, or if they simply view art as a way to destress and spend some time doing something creative.

For me, art is something that I don’t plan on making a career in, but I still choose to dedicate significant time to making art since it is something I enjoy. I added art as a second major after realizing that a minor wouldn’t allow me to develop my skills as much as focusing on a full senior capstone project and taking more art classes would. For me, art is a way to take a break from other classes and to focus my mind on something other than memorizing facts or solving written problems. I found that in making art, there is a sense of problem-solving as well, but more more abstract: how do you depict this idea in your head on a piece of paper or canvas? I enjoy grappling with this question and trying to find solutions, so much so that I sometimes find myself spending time on art that I should be spending on some of my other work.

I have sometimes contemplated pursuing a career in art, but ultimately decided that my interest in medicine outweighed my interest in art, even if not by much. And I have found that the artists I know at Duke have been incredibly supportive of this decision. Students, professors, and artists in residence alike have formed a welcoming for any artists regardless of experience or intent to practice art as a career. I have received great advice and critiques on my art that have helped me improve as an artist. Overall, being an artist at Duke has, so far, been an overwhelmingly positive experience that has made my time at Duke that much more enjoyable. While I think that the idea of art as a career choice is maybe not quite as respected as going into other fields like science or law, I believe that most people at Duke have a favorable view of art. I admit that I may be slightly biased since I myself am planning a career in the sciences rather than in the arts, but my experience as an artist here at Duke, at the very least, has been a positive one.

On being an art Student at Duke

                 Being an artist at Duke is like walking through the gardens, except blinded. You hear about the beauty of the flowers and how happy everyone looks to be there. You may hear the laughter or smell the blooming flowers but you can't see them. You walk through the garden, stumbling, only to have the blindfold removed at the end. You realize in those last 5 minutes of being at the gardens how much there was to see that you didn't see. You leave hoping you can walk the gardens again without the blindfold.


              Taking a heavy stem courseload with an art class this semester made me feel blinded to all the opportunities and lessons of doing art at Duke. While this class has given me a chance to express my creativity in ways that I couldn't in my Math classes, I still feel like I have failed my artistic self. Maybe I had too high expectations while enrolling. I wanted to master the use of lines in order to be able to describe anything with just lines. While I have improved significantly, I cannot confidently say that I have achieved my goals.

collaged flowers

                Close to the end of the class, I discovered collage and colorful patterns. That was like being allowed to experience the garden fully but, only for a few minutes. I am thankful for the journey that has been taking this class, for the chance to explore the patterns in African fabric and in extension - the culture, for a chance to learn what colors compliment each other and why some colors can only be put on certain patterns.  Most Importantly I am thankful for having a professor and classmates who offered me critical feedback every week in my best interest. I can say that I learned the most from the critique sessions that forced me to see my pieces from different perspectives literally and metaphorically.
               My journey as an art student at Duke doesn't end here and I will be back soon to explore the garden and its flowers fully.

Angel M.

Art at Duke

Art at Duke

As an aspiring artist, studying at Duke, a school heavily focused on pre professional careers, often feels somewhat out of place. While I do plan on majoring in the very popular major computer science with a specialization in data science and minoring in philosophy, I wish to eventually work in the entertainment industry on concept design. Among all the pre meds, pre consultants and pre laws, the path I am choosing is far from conventional. However, conversations with my academic advisor, professors and friends always make me feel supported and understood. 

I think Duke is increasingly doing a great job in incorporating art as part of its culture. The myriad of workshops at the Arts Annex, student organized figure drawing workshops and open events on the BC plaza all represent a blooming student passion for the arts. As an artist studying non-art subjects at Duke, I see my time at Duke as a diverse learning experience rather than a means to achieve some career goal. I think the reverse should be true for other students at Duke too. Even for someone who’s pre-dental with a set path to their ideal job market, the scope of one’s study should be expansive, including exposure to the creative arts. 

Art making should also be a community effort. Art is never created in a vacuum. Artistic works are often reflections of the external influences on a particular artist. Feedback from others is critical to the growth of an artist and often result in unexpected inspirations that lead to further artistic creations. DrawDurham, a new student org founded by Joyce Er, brought urban sketchers at Duke together and intended to create a friendly environment of artistic exchanges. Because Joyce was abroad this semester, events were not extended to the spring semester. However, based on the interest and support it generated last semester, I see immense growth potential in DrawDurham and hope a tight community of artists can be connected and fostered further at my time at Duke. 

Essay on Being an Artist at Duke

De’Ivyion Drew 

VISARTS 205-001 

April 21st, 2019 

How does art fit into your life at Duke? 

Although I am limited to part-time student status at Duke University, I find that I naturally gravitate toward the tastefully placed glass and sunsets at the chapel. Art, I have recently found, is a way one moves through life. Intermediate Drawing has placed me in a setting where everyone uses art to move differently, and that in and of itself has taught me to own my stride. Conversations with others when they see my sketch board at the BC, the Lou, on East, even at the Chapel Bus Stop often focus on the art of living, which fits seamlessly with our task as students to reimagine and question everything. Furthermore, these spaces offer an opportunity to see how art is life moving through me, whether it is munching at East, contemplation at the BC, laughter at the Lou, or reverie off in the distance waiting for the C1 bus. 

Is there a community of artists at Duke? 

Community is what one makes of it, and with only one semester of being engaged with Duke, I am delighted to have made one already that grows by the day. Specifically, my artist community began the day that our class visited the Visiting Artist section of the Rubenstein Arts Center. William Paul Thomas has been an integral part of my first-year experience here at Duke University and I would like to use this moment to implore the university to employ more artists of color, particularly black men and women, because their impact goes beyond their stay at the Ruby. Through him, I have been connected to many other artists in his likeness who support me and the importance of my work in this world. Edom Tilahun. Dare Coulter. Alana Hyman. They are Duke Devils that give me drive to sketch, to craft, to imagine ways to merge the worlds of UNC and Duke flawlessly. 

Is art an important part of the Duke experience? 

As a Duke student, you would be remiss to exclude yourself from artistic engagement. A majority of extracurricular activities are art-based with the purpose to reconnect yourself with others and your inner self. Participants of student concerts and other extravaganzas feel fulfilled from being a part of art and art being a part of themselves. When I mention to other Devils that I am an art major, many of their facial dispositions change and they often proceed to speak the similar tale of “I played an instrument when I was younger, I wish I kept up with it.” or “I used to draw all the time, but I settled with an art minor instead.” or “I chose another passion instead of art, but I wish I didn’t have to choose at all.” Art is a common thread within all of the human experience, and I am fortunate to choose Art as my way of life, my only critique is that I wish others would realize that they can uncompromisingly live an artistic way of life in whatever discipline they pursue. 

Being an Artist at Duke; Rachel Tung

Art was a really big part of my childhood. I was a really quiet kid and liked to spend a lot of time in my imagination. Art was a way to make my imagination feel a little bit more like reality. I drew my favorite TV characters and I made toys out of paper and plastic wrap. I was lucky in that my parents provided me the space and the opportunities to explore my love for art and visual design. 

At some point, though, I learned how the rest of the world viewed art. I heard people talking about “starving artists” and saying things like “art is not a career, it’s just a hobby.” And I let all these stigmatized views of art get to me. Up to that point, I was certain that my future existed within the creative industry. But then I became afraid of art. So, I pushed art aside for a little, exploring other subjects in fields that I assumed were better valued by society. And I did find a genuine interest in another subject - neuroscience. 

I came to Duke as a neuroscience major and although I was enjoying my classes, I found myself naturally gravitating back towards the creative arts outside of my coursework. I wanted to practice design and I tried to find whatever opportunities I could to do so. I would create flyers and logos for student organizations and spaces. Eventually, I became so invested in it that I sought professional experiences off-campus and even traveled abroad to study graphic design. Throughout these experiences, I began to develop an identity as an artist and designer. I felt connected to visual art and design. Art and design was not just about making things look good, but also telling stories and building experiences. As my belief in design strengthened and I regained my passion for art and design, I decided to pursue it with full force. I switched to a psychology major after learning about human-centered design and looked for more on-campus opportunities to practice design. 

It is difficult, sometimes, to be an artist, especially as a Duke student. There are often negative reactions from people when they hear I want to be a designer. “Why would you take art classes at Duke?” “It’s hard to make a living as a designer.” I will never forget the look of concern on my high school friends’ faces when I told them I switched to a psychology major and wanted to work in the design industry. But the belief I have in art and design’s ability to shape the world, and the identity I am working to build, provides me a source of comfort and protection.