McHenry County College (MCC) art
students Molly Tait of McHenry and Shelby Page of Crystal Lake are passionate
about art and when their ceramics instructor Tom Vician suggested they both
pursue individualized research projects beyond the classroom, both eagerly
accepted the challenge. Both students chose a topic in ceramics as part of
MCC’s Undergraduate Research Scholar program (URSP)
.
Undergraduate Research Scholar Program
Growing
Tait and Page are among 14 students
who flexed their brains and pushed the envelope by participating in the
Undergraduate Research Scholar Program since it launched in 2012. The program
allows students to research subjects they are interested in and work closely
with a faculty member who mentors them. Past student projects have included the
fields of biology, English, sociology, anthropology and applied technology. The
program follows MCC’s primary mission to focus on learning and student success.
Students Gain Valuable Research
Experience Toward Future Education, Careers
Both Tait and Page conducted their own
research by delving into books and/or the internet and worked in MCC’s ceramics
studio from May through July to create unique pieces that reflected their
research.
Tait chose to focus on the Mayan
hieroglyphics and symbols because of the playful forms and fluidity and the
detailed carved surface, which she said resembled her personal style in clay.
After six weeks, Tait had created three complex ceramic sculptures with
meticulously carved surfaces influenced by Mayan hieroglyphics and symbols. The
sculptures were carefully painted with a variety of glazes that Tait developed
herself and then fired at MCC in the college’s new soda kiln.
“It was nice to get started on the
project right after spring semester ended, when no one was in the studio,” said
Tait, who enrolled in her first ceramics class three years ago. “It was nice to
have a quiet space to work. This program gave me more freedom to study something
I was interested in.”
“I learned not only more about my
artistic style, but about my learning style and how to motivate myself,” Tait
said. “I have grown to be more self-driven. When I’m away at college, I will be
motivating myself to make art.”
Influenced by the Korean technique,
Page made her own carving tools and her own glazes. She spent six weeks
creating matching porcelain and stoneware plates, bowls and vases influenced by
ceramics made by the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) and the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).
Page said she became fascinated with
Korean ceramic methods when Vician introduced carving techniques in the
classroom that he learned during his trip to South Korea two years ago.
“Shelby not only learned how history
can influence her artistic style, but she also realized how to independently
pursue ideas to create meaningful artwork,” Vician said.
“I’m happy and proud of my
accomplishment,” Page said. “This project allowed me to dive deeper into the
ceramic processes and helped me understand what I’m doing in the future. I also
learned I could buckle down and do a lot of work really fast.”
Both students learned how to take
professional images of their work, adding to their portfolios they will bring
with them as they transfer to their respective four-year universities this
fall. Tait will attend Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi to study art
and pursue a possible career as a professional artist. Page will attend the
University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee to major in art with a minor in communications
with plans to pursue a career combining both fields.
Student Artists Build on Past
Successes
Tait and Page have shown their
artistic prowess at past exhibits. Last April, both displayed their work at the
2014 Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Juried Art Exhibit at MCC, where
Tait won Best of Show for her Chinese bronze vessel-inspired ceramics and Page
won Award of Excellence for her untitled ceramics.
Mentoring Faculty Member Proud of
Students’ Success
Vician not only recruited, but worked
closely with both Tait and Page as their mentor.
“I thought they had what it took to
handle a rigorous research project,” Vician said, referring to recruiting these
two ceramics students. “Their dedication was obvious and their commitment
exceeded my expectations. Their schedules were paced and well-planned.”
“Both Molly and Shelby exhibited
confidence and professionalism throughout the program that will prepare them
well for a successful future in the arts,” Vician said.
In this situation, Vician said, both
students had the opportunity to develop an idea and create an individualized
body of work specific to their own area of interest.
Students Earn Credit Upon Project
Completion
The URSP program requires original
research topics that must be completed within one semester and culminates with
a final presentation to the MCC community that includes administrators,
faculty, students, and staff. In addition, the program provides funding
that supports the students’ research. Students earn one credit hour after
completing the project.
Coordinator of Career Services at MCC
Evette Thompson said the program helps with the development of critical
thinking skills by encouraging students to work with faculty members beyond the
classroom.
“This program provides students an
added tool for their college education because they gain deeper knowledge and
experience doing research in their field,” Thompson said.
