Creating Art with Borders
February 1, 2020
Like many students, last semester Ellie Morgan enrolled in one of the unique arts courses offered by the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities (RCAH).
In the course, RCAH 215 Yoga and Art: Creative Possibilities through Contemplative Practices, Professor Guillermo Delgado had students blend exercises in contemplative practices like yoga, meditation, and walking with creative projects involving poetry, ’zines, journaling, drawing, painting, and collage.
Because she is blind and this was a visual arts class, Morgan worked closely with Delgado to ensure that the curriculum so it was both meaningful and educational for her. As it turns out, that meaning and education went both ways.
“I'm more the teacher I want to be because of my experience of working with Ellie,” Delgado said. “Our relationship allows me to flex and stretch my creative muscle by creating course goals that are accessible, inclusive, and humane.”
Morgan and Delgado met frequently before and after class to discuss her work and feelings about the class. Morgan has accommodations through MSU’s The Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD), which assists students, faculty, and staff by “maximizing ability and opportunity for full participation at MSU.” The RCPD works closely with students and MSU staff who “have a disability that substantially limits a major life activity” to create an inclusive experience for all.
Because her experience with Delgado and the other students in the class was so positive last semester, this semester she is taking another arts course with Delgado: RCAH 325 The Prison Poetry ’Zine Project.
“When I meet my students, I always say, ‘The knowledge is in the classroom,’” Delgado said. “I expect to learn from my students and for them to collaborate with me. Ellie's presence and energy in the classroom has reaffirmed this for me. I’m thrilled to be working with her again.”
In the current course, students facilitate art and poetry workshops for young people at the Ingham County Juvenile Detention Center. For her ’zine, Morgan is working with a student consultant in RCAH’s Language and Media Center to create an audio ’zine in Adobe Premiere.
After graduation in May 2021, Morgan—a dual arts and humanities and English major from Traverse City, Michigan—said she would like to pursue a career as an English professor. When she is not studying, she enjoys reading, writing, listening to music—especially musicals—and ceramics.
She recently told us about her experience in the Yoga and Art course.
RCAH: How would you describe what you’ve done with Professor Guillermo Delgado in this class?
Ellie Morgan: We worked on various forms of art, including painting, sculpting, and poetry. We also did several variations of yoga and meditation.
RCAH: What are the different ways Guillermo has made class projects more inclusive for you?
EM: We spoke before the class started and came up with a loose plan. I was able to use my computer in order to type up a few of the projects that involved writing, and I had others scribe for me on the poetry walks. In addition, he made all of the art projects three dimensional, providing me with stickers, pipe cleaners, and beads so that I could complete the work independently. During our portrait project, he outlined my profile in hot glue so that I would have a boundary in which to work.
RCAH: How did you like working on the portrait project and working with other students?
EM: I thought working on the portrait project was quite fun and interesting. It was not like anything I’d done before.
In terms of working with other students—it was pretty great. My classmates were very helpful and kind, and I was able to partner with them when I needed to.
RCAH: How have the other students worked with you during this class?
EM: They have helped me by scribing my poems for me when we were on poetry walks and they have described different events, movies, and other activities to me so I could understand what was going on in the class. They would walk with me during our weekly excursions to different places.
RCAH: What was your favorite part of the class?
EM: My favorite part was probably the yoga, because I found it invigorating but also, at the same time, it helped me to feel centered.
RCAH: How do you think your skills progressed from start to finish in the class?
EM: I learned to be more adaptable and to “think outside the box” when it comes to who I am as an artist.
RCAH: How did you find the process of getting your accommodations?
EM: It’s fairly simple, since I’ve done it ever since I’ve been in school. MSU has a great resource center that ensures accommodations are fully met for people with disabilities.
RCAH: What are you planning to do with your RCAH degree?
EM: I am planning on going to graduate school. My ultimate goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in English so that I could become a professor.
RCAH: What made you choose RCAH as your major?
EM: I chose it because I’m very interested in the arts as they relate to culture and I thought this degree would suit my interests well.