Lubeznik Art Center Class Trip

My Art Appreciation class (Lake Michigan College) and Advanced Art classes (Bridgman High School) visited the Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City, Indiana, which was a valuable experience to see contemporary art in person. We explored work by Maria Bundunarena as well as an immersive installation by Luftwerk, which transformed the gallery space with light and color. The students also created artwork inspired by the exhibition. The trip gave students a chance to connect classroom discussions about contemporary art to real-world experiences, sparking thoughtful conversations.

Art Appreciation Class Trip

The Art Appreciation class visited the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art at the University of Notre Dame. This new museum, which opened in December 2023, houses an impressive collection of more than 30,000 works across painting, sculpture, textiles, prints, and contemporary installations.

During the visit, students explored the galleries together and reflected on key ideas we’ve been studying in class, including the elements and principles of art and design as well as the significant role that religion and spirituality have played in the history of artistic expression.

Seeing original works in person gave students a deeper appreciation of visual art than textbooks or slides can provide. We also considered the museum itself, how architecture, lighting, and layout affect the way art is experienced.

This field trip was a valuable opportunity for students to practice looking closely, asking questions, and engaging thoughtfully with art in a professional setting. Experiences like this encourage students to see art not just as images in a textbook, but as an opportunity to question, interpret, and find personal meaning.

Krasl Art Center Class Trip

Art Appreciation students from Lake Michigan College took a trip to the Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph to view the current Stop Motion Animation exhibition by Indiana native artist Joe Baughman. After viewing Baughman’s work, they created simple stop motion animations in Krasl’s studios.