Cynthia Standley, Director of Art in Medicine, reaches out to see if I am interested in facilitating another Art and Anatomy Workshop for first-year students at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine.
I am. Yes!
Day 1: Thursday
I arrive to a classroom that includes a variety of art supplies (traditional and non-traditional) as well as a selection of medical models available for reference. Medical students enter the classroom and I can feel their excitement.
I introduce myself and speak about the general purpose of the workshop. Many students are here to make an artwork for their Ceremony of Appreciation, in honor of their willed body donors. Others are here only because they want to make art. Everyone is welcome.
Supplies have been chosen and almost immediately, I see some students begin to put something down on drawing paper. They’ve arrived, eager and prepared.
We have a thoughtful, creative and fun-filled afternoon. Below, I share process shots as well as completed artworks.
There’s a little fashion mixing it up with the optic chiasm.
The bronchial tree.
I move from student to student, discussing each composition, including materials, form and content. I get a good sense of their ideas as well as their observation skills. I also appreciate and enjoy their imagination.
Day2: Friday
On this second day, a larger group arrives. I’m please to see some students from the day before.
The workshop begins with introductions, followed by another afternoon of art-making.
In each eye is a galaxy…
I see a labyrinth…
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Happy Digestive System
Carefully representing areas of the brain.
Wonderful work is completed!
I hope each of you had fun and learned something that you didn’t know before.
Here is what I learned:
Tea bags (of all shapes) can be used as a collage element! #VeryCool
I now know, the smallest bone in the body is called the stapes. It was pointed out to me by a student and discussed with the group at the table. #HelpingMeToRemember
I better understand how students learn from their body donor. I got a sense of the subtle way in which human connection is formed. #Honor
Thanks to everyone who participated. Thank you Cindi, for inviting me back.
My best to each of you.
#Appreciation #Creativity #Observation #Fun #ArtAndMedicine
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Monica Aissa Martinez 