Jaelyn Grant
Reporter
During spring break, students from Mississippi University for Women’s Art department and Women’s College traveled to New York City to expand their understanding of art and culture beyond the classroom.
The Art department has been organizing the New York trip for more than a decade, and it was recently expanded through a collaboration between Art professor Ian Childers and Dr. Jill Drouillard, an associate professor of Philosophy and Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies, as well as the director of the Women’s College.
The partnership allowed more students to participate while exploring art in one of the world’s most influential cultural centers and the museums located there.
Childers highlights the importance of experiential learning and exposure to major art spaces for W students since they can see new influences and incorporate them into artwork here in Columbus. Childers’ goal is to help students connect learning to real-world artistic practices and ideas.
“[It’s] just getting out and seeing that stuff in the real world, where it exists,” Childers said. “You can work in a studio here all day long, but until you really see how other people are doing it in person, a book will not connect as well.”
During the trip, students visited major museums including the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Brooklyn Museum, along with galleries in the Chelsea district.
The group in front of the Met.
Photo by Ian Childers
Students explored a wide range of collections, from ancient artifacts to contemporary works, gaining a broader understanding of how art has evolved. The experience allowed students to engage directly with artwork rather than only studying it in a classroom setting.
Drouillard emphasized that the purpose of the trip was to expose students to new environments and perspectives while encouraging deeper engagement with art. She says the students had a great time during the trip, and that they could be overwhelmed by the city, but in a good way in that it exposed the students to new experiences.
“Professor Childers and I really value getting students out into the world to explore. It’s important to visit other cities, see beyond Columbus, and experience places like the museums in New York City,” Drouillard said. “We want students to understand that there are so many opportunities and experiences out there for them.”
Through activities such as journaling and reflection, students were encouraged to think critically about themes such as gender and representation in art, applying what they have learned in class to real-world experiences.
In addition to museum visits, students explored the city and experienced its culture firsthand. Many visited landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, attended Broadway shows and explored different neighborhoods.
The group also traveled by train, spending nearly 26 hours together, which gave students time to bond through shared experiences.
For students, the trip was both educational and personally meaningful. Kaliyah Moore, a graphic design major, said the experience gave her a new perspective on art and creativity.
“It was just great to go with the people that I see every day and see something that we’re all passionate about,” she said. “You can study it in class, but seeing it in person makes it feel so much more real.”
Moore also expressed that being in New York influenced how she views design. Surrounded by advertisements, billboards, and visual displays, she became more aware of how design functions in a fast-paced environment.
“It really just opens your eyes to see what is out there and what is possible,” she said.
Overall, the trip provided students with a valuable opportunity to experience art beyond the classroom while gaining inspiration for their own creative work.
By combining academic learning with real-world experiences, the program continues to help students broaden their perspectives and explore new possibilities in their fields.