Sandy Southard '04

"New York trip proves to be memorable for art students"

Despite the recent war in Iraq, the fear of an attack on the United States doesn't keep Ferrum students away. On March 28, 2003, seven art students made their way to New York with art club advisor Rachel Denham.

During their trip, the students visited many of the well-known museums and galleries in the New York area. The Museum of Modern Art in Queens was showing an exhibit of Picasso and Matisse. "I love the way the two artist were displayed and compared to each other in the exhibit", said Corri Browell. The students also visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art and many of the galleries in Soho.
One exhibit stood out the most to many of the students. The Walter De Maria gallery, exhibiting The New York Earth Room, 1977, was simply a large room filled with dirt. "I don't know what is stranger, the fact that there is dirt in a room or the fact that all the walls are white and clean" said Jonah Starr.

While the trip featured many art and museums, it was apparent that there was a certain tension in the air. While being in an area that was prime target for any attack on the US, the students felt very safe. Not only was there an enormous amount of police, but there were even soldiers at some places such as at ground zero were the students visited before they departed the city.

On Friday, the city and students were a little hesitant about what to think when the Williamsburg bridge was closed due to a possible terrorist attack when three men were arrested when standing on top of the bridge. Overall the group felt that they were very well protected.

"The art club has planned a trip to New York every other year for at least since I have been teaching," said advisor Rachel Denham. The exposure to the art history and the overall New York experience especially during a time where fear is in all travelers' eyes was what made facing the odds of the city worth every minute of it.