Eleora Levinson (Class of 2028)
Blogger Role: Art Education
Major: Art Education
Minor: Illustration
I chose Marywood because I originally wanted to major in illustration. I had heard Marywood had a great art department and it wasn’t too far from home. When I went to visit everyone was so friendly and the art department seemed very welcoming and knowledgeable. The campus was beautiful and the class sizes were relatively small, which is what I was used to from high school. After that I had my heart set on going to Marywood.
I am majoring in Art because I’ve always had a passion for art. My mother was an art teacher so I grew up constantly creating art. As I said, I originally was majoring in illustration, which is something that will always be special to me. I loved making up stories with illustrations, creating videos, and giving my little sister art lessons. I’ve had the opportunity to illustrate a few books but I’ve always had a connection to creating art for children. Eventually, I realized Art Education was the right path for me. I love working with kids and sharing their enthusiasm for art.
When I’m not in class, during the summer, I am probably at the beach. Otherwise I am doing work, spending time with my family and boyfriend, or exploring new places. I also love to go shopping, even if I don’t buy anything. And when I have time, I of course like to do art as well.
So far, my favorite art class at Marywood was General Illustration 1 with Steven Brower. I was able to have the most fun creatively in that class. Even though it is not in my major I was still able to connect my passion to the prompts. For one of the assignments I was allowed to create a few pages of a children’s book. I was also able to branch out of my comfort zone and create a 3-D model of an amusement ride, which was actually one of my favorite assignments. But really, all of the projects helped me develop as an artist.
The coolest thing I’ve done at Marywood so far was observe an art classroom. For the Art Education major, you need to complete field hours at an urban, suburban, or rural school. I was able to sit and observe grades Pre-K to 6 at a private Christian Academy. Seeing children create and express themselves through art was beyond cool for me. Getting to know the students and seeing their finished products was an experience I’ll never forget. It solidified my desire to become an art teacher.
When I graduate I would like to become an art educator. Specifically, working with children. I haven’t decided if I want to go into the public schools or a private school. I think when an opportunity arises I will just know. Ultimately, I want to share my enthusiasm for art with my future students and nourish any inherent passion they have for art themselves.
I’d recommend the Art program at Marywood because the professors are truly passionate about what they do. They put their all into their work and actually want you to succeed. There are so many possibilities for personal growth here. Not only for your artistic ability but for you as an individual.