NW Missouri Times

Two art education majors from Northwest Missouri State University, Anonda Martinez of Lisa, Missouri, and Sammy Ward of Omaha, Nebraska, attended a summer workshop at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The students were selected by Northwest art faculty to participate in the program, with all expenses covered.

Arrowmont is recognized as a leading center for arts and crafts education, offering over 200 creative workshops annually to participants of various ages and backgrounds. The school is located near the Great Smoky Mountains and is known for its diverse curriculum and hands-on experiences.

During their five-day workshop, Martinez and Ward studied natural dyes and earth pigments, working with materials such as earth pigment pastels, watercolors, gouache, oil paint, and indigo. They also engaged in foraging activities to source some of their own materials.

Dr. Karen Britt, associate professor of art at Northwest, commented on the value of the experience: “The opportunity is immense. I wish we could send all our students because it sends them into this really rich, vibrant environment where they’re in a group of artists from all over the country. It gives them an opportunity to engage with their work as well as with the artists as people.”

Martinez said, “It got me to engage with a lot of people from different backgrounds, and it’s also enhanced the way that I now make my ceramic art. I think a lot more about my process and color and the application of all that. It’s made me a lot more open to new opportunities that I don’t think I would have gone for before.” She plans to continue her involvement in art after graduation, potentially working at a community center or teaching museum courses.

Ward highlighted the workshop’s collaborative environment: “A highlight of my experience was getting to hang out with all the people in our workshop. I think me and Anonda were the youngest, and the oldest was 80, and there was only 10 of us. It was really nice working in a space with all of them.” Ward aims to pursue an internship at Arrowmont and become a high school or college teacher, drawing inspiration from her mother’s teaching career.

Ward also noted the preparation provided by Northwest’s art program: “I think they do a good job of making sure that we’re all working together. It was kind of scary to get on a plane and go to Tennessee, but we’re just experienced with working with strangers, and we were able to trust them, and I think they set me up good for that.”