To discuss a piece of art, or a selection of artwork at length with a group of peers is a very different experience from glancing at a piece of artwork. Instead of making a judgement and moving on, by allowing yourself to spend time with the art and hearing the thoughts of others, you unmask new levels of meaning that aren’t apparent at first glance. When asked about looking at artwork in person, a student named Damian answered that he gains the ability to understand the abstract. “To rip apart, and find the meaning and purpose of things.”

Student Sophie Pelletier explains how the tour informs her own artwork.

"When I look at artwork in person, it is so much more meaningful. I can see the amount of effort and emotion put into each stroke of a paintbrush. I love looking at artwork from a variety of angles, which is impossible without the real piece in front of me."

This past year, students enjoyed studio time during their museum visits, during which they get to experiment with some of the concepts contained within the exhibition. This gives them the opportunity to loosen up, play and experiment with approaches and materials they might not have tried on their own. This year, the students saw Ocean Liners, It’s Alive!, O’Keeffe, Playtime, and T.C Cannon: At the Edge of America.

Once they are back in the classroom, students respond to their visit under the guidance of their A.P. Art teacher, Paula Borsetti. While the studio responses at the museum allow for immediate reflection and digestion, throughout the year they continue to reflect for in-depth self-guided exploration.