January 3 – January 15, 2011

Montserrat College of Art offers a Wintersession Program in Vieques, Puerto Rico during which students may take courses, practice yoga and meditation and earn three credits toward their degree. Join Professor Judy Brown and Shana Dumont for this winter adventure and enjoy the sunshine, warmth and balmy breezes of this tropical paradise.

COURSES

ID (Interdisciplinary)
Nature and Abstraction (3 credits)
Students electing this course explore issues related to nature, abstraction and the potential influences of a different ecology, geography and culture in making one's artwork; they may elect to work in a range of media including photography, drawing and painting, collage and/or mixed media. Work developed is based on observation and interpretation of natural phenomena and proceeds from investigative studies to larger scale, sustained series. 

AH Topics in Art History:
Art & Protest in Latin American Art (3 credits)
Students visit the outskirts of the U.S. Naval Air bases that were closed in 2003 after years of protest and examine some of the artists directly involved or responded to the issue in their work including Allora & Calzadilla, whose video "Under Discussion" was shot on Vieques. Director of the Forte Conde de Mirasol Museum, specializing in the history, art and culture of Vieques, was a key organizer in the Vieques protests meets with the class to share the history and his direct experiences. Other contemporary examples of artwork created in Latin America that engages with controversial social issues such as Spanish-born Santiago Sierra, Doris Salcedo, and Claudia Bernadi are examined along with the role international art fairs, such as the Havana Biennial, to tackle socio-political issues in their artwork.

Readings, field trips and research into the cultures occupying Puerto Rico, from the Taino Indians to the present, accompany the studio and art history course. Additionally, the practice of yoga asanas (exercises) and/or meditation may precede or follow class sessions with the goal of strengthening aspects of the creative process such as focus, self-discipline, risk-taking and self-assessment.
The trip may be cancelled with insufficient enrollment and prices may change during the fall of 2010 because of airfare or other fixed prices. Tuition assistance may be available depending on number of enrolled students.

To reserve space and receive all mailings, fill out preliminary applications available with Theresa Skelly, Registrar and make your deposit; a maximum of ten students can enroll for this program.

ACCOMMODATIONS
Seagate Guest House in the town of Isabella Segunda/Vieques. Single rooms are available for an additional fee.

SCHEDULE & REQUIREMENTS:

Schedule includes: 

• morning yoga and evening meditation (1+ hours/day)
• on-site studio work and/or research
• kayaking trip in Vieques' bioluminescent bay and other field trips
• individual critiques and/or group discussions

Students electing 3 credits must complete an Independent Project due one month after the completion of the program.

For questions about the course contact:
Judy Brown: judybrown@montserrat.edu
Theresa Skelly: tskelly@montserrat.edu
Shana Dumont: sdumont@montserrat.edu

PROGRAM DETAILS

Price Per Student/Participant:
$2950.00 per person (with airfare listed below)

Program Fee Includes:

• Fee for 3 credit course
  
• Lodging at The Seagate Guest House in Vieques
  
• Board is not included, though each room has a small kitchen.
  
• Airfare and transfers
  
• Field Trips (kayaking, stay in El Yunque and/or on the big Island)
  
• On-site work sessions at various sites and beaches
  
• Yoga practice in the morning and meditation in the evening

Accommodations are at the Seagate Guest House in the town of Isabella Segunda/Vieques Single rooms are available for an additional fee.

FACULTY

Judith Brassard Brown is a Professor at Montserrat College of Art and founder of the Summer Intensive Studios in Viterbo, Italy. Her studio practice incorporates working from nature with mixed media images. Recent solo exhibitions include "Ancestor" at Kingston Gallery In 2006 and "Somewhere Between" at the Danforth Museum in 2007.  Her work can be seen online at her website www.judithbrassardbrown.com or www.kingstongallery.com. Brown exhibits in and around Boston.

Shana Dumont was the Assistant Gallery Director at Montserrat, and taught in the Art History and Foundation Departments through June 2010. She also has her certification as a yoga teacher. As Wintersession faculty, she works with students in the Art History Topics course and participates in the yoga and meditation activities.

*Airfare Information Is available under separate cover:
*Please note, flights for this period have not yet been selected. Students opting out of group airfare can pay $300 less but must make their way from San Juan to Vieques and are responsible for the ground portion if it does not coincide with group transfers.