Art for My Heart

1. Self Evaluation

This Semester's class has been my favorite English course that I have ever taken.  I have learned many things about the arts here at Penn State and about general writing.  I have grown through all the learning I have done in this class.  I have discovered the importance of a title, analyzed advertisements, and learned about Penn State being ranked the #1 party school.  Through class discussions, homework readings, and outside cultural events, I have gained so much.

I  was born and raised here in State College.  I have always appreciated art, but never experienced it often.  This class has shown me that there is so much art going on around Penn State, you just need to look for it.  Even if it is something that I would never imagine myself going to, I decided that it can't hurt to go and you are usually pleasantly surprised.  I wish I could have attended more art events in the past, but I will make it a priority to continue exploring.  I have learned that I love paintings, poems, love letters, and more.  I loved going to the Palmer Museum of Art because each painting was so unique.  I enjoyed watching In the Red and Brown Water because it was different from anything I had ever seen.  This class has happily opened my eyes to art.  I have realized that it can be so powerful and make me feel the emotions of the artist.  Also, I now think about and notice how even little things can be considered art.  You can make an argument that practically everything is art in a special way.  There is the art of tailgating, partying, walking, proposing, breakups, facial expressions, eating, and everything in-between.  What I take away is that you should see everything as art, because it can be beautiful.  Earlier today, as I was browsing poems, I even texted a friend saying, "I feel so artsy."

Writing has never been one of my biggest strengths, but I enjoy doing it if the topic is something that I am interested in. This class has taught me a lot about writing and has improved my writing skills.  Through examining essays and other literary works, I have gained creativity and structure.  I have learned not to fill my essay with clichés and not to ramble using outrageous vocabulary.  I have discovered how important transition sentences are and that every essay needs to flow.  I have learned that small details can come together to form a whole that has one important theme.  I think that this class has strengthened my writing and will help me in the future.

Overall, this class has been an enjoyment and has caused me to grow.  I have learned that art is everywhere, writing should be creative, and that I wish I had some artist talent.  Though we can't all be skilled painters, musicians, or writers, anyone can appreciate it.  I would love to continue to be informed about art and cultural events going on around Penn State!  My improved writing and my new artistic views thank you.

2. Blog Responses

• http://samanthamartinblogspot.blogspot.com/2012/09/palmer-museum-visit.html#comment-form (A Piece of Mind)
• http://ifartcouldtalk101.blogspot.com/2012/09/i-was-unaware-that-art-museum-even-had.html?showComment=1348416537189#c6045537298542798479 (The Persuasion of Art)
• http://carascornerthearts.blogspot.com/2012/09/my-trip-to-psu-arboretum.html (Cara’s Corner)
• http://storiesfromstuart.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-garden-of-thought.html#comment-form (Stories from Stuart Halls)
• http://rebeccacommisso.blogspot.com/2012/10/blog-post-4-movie-review.html?showComment=1349817035914#c8445297137761697611 (Exploring the many styles here at Penn State)
• http://curtincallblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/move-review-old-school.html?showComment=1350582866554#c6624760014194562743 (Curtin Call)
• http://artandrhetoric.blogspot.com/2012/09/extra-post-comic-book-coffee-table.html?showComment=1350957613805#c2184767762545312086 (Rhetorically Speaking)
• http://ideasoninspiration.blogspot.com/2012/10/scream-2-acontinuation-of-satirical.html?showComment=1351784518196#c2154970214272978334 (Ideas on Inspiration)
• http://derosag5050.blogspot.com/2012/10/animal-house.html (The Pursuit of Happiness)
• http://tarasaverageblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/5-in-red-and-brown-water.html#comment-form (Entertainment for the Average Human)
• http://bittyjade.blogspot.com/2012/11/in-show-in-red-andbrown-water-main.html?showComment=1353968617451#c417534786111562235 (Mad Love)
• http://bryancarse74.blogspot.com/ (The Most Interesting Blog Ever: More Than the Arts at PSU)

3. SRTE Evaluations

Hi, Ms. S. I finished my SRTEs! Woohoo!

Arts/Cultural Response: Poetry Reading

Everyone thinks they can become a poet at some point in their life.  You feel that there is so much emotion inside you that when you put it on paper it will become an inspiring masterpiece.  After middle school assignments, valid attempts, and severe writers block, most of us discover that it is much harder than it seems.

Today I decided to hear what some true poetry is about.  I attended the Art of Poetry Series by our one and only teacher, Sheila Squillante, and her husband, Paul Bilger.  When I walked into the Palmer Museum of Art, I took a seat next to fellow students and other adults.  The feeling in the room was calm and I think everyone was anticipating the start.  

The series consisted of photographs that inspired poems.  Bilger held up the pictures while Squillante read her poems to the audience.  However there was a twist to it all.  The photos were originally completely different.  We did not get to see the original pictures, but it was still very interesting.  They poems were very abstract just like the photographs.  I enjoyed listening to the poetry because there is something so beautiful about not knowing exactly what is being said.  Most likely, what I heard was completely different to the person next to me.  There is a lot of room for emotions and interpretation.

This was my first ever poetry reading, and I really enjoyed it.  I didn't know what to expect, but I was pleased.  I have never really read poems on my own time, but I think they can be wonderful works of art.   I want to broaden my horizons and experience new things, and poetry can be a part of that.  I would like to go to more poetry readings and more art shows while I have so many opportunities to do so.  Thanks so much for the fun experience Sheila!

The Art of a Secret

“Secret” in Hebrew means “come closer”

Post secret is blog site started by Frank Warren, the world's most trusted stranger, that consists of a composition of secrets.  They can be emotional, funny, powerful, random, and everything in between.  Each secret is a glimpse of someone else’s life who you know nothing about.  However, through each secret you gain a piece of them with you.  As you scroll down looking through each secret, there is a good chance you will find one that makes you think, makes you feel, or makes you realize that it is your own secret.  Every Sunday, a new handful of secrets are added to the blog waiting to be revealed.  I am a regular Sunday checker and I am always pleased.

At the Post Secret event held in Alumni Hall, students gathered to listen and discuss secrets.  Warren described them as something we hide from others, but most importantly we hide from ourselves.  Putting a secret on paper can cause a variety of emotions.  It can set you free, cause guilt, or even put a smile on your face.  The funny thing is, we all have our secrets and we are certainly not alone.

Writing a secret is harder than it seems.  It is a work of art.  At the event, every person was given a blank postcard  to write a secret that can be sent to Warren.  I find myself staring at this postcard wondering what to write and how to write it.  On the card there are three tips: 

1. Be brief - the fewer words, the better.
2. Be legible - use big, clear and bold lettering.
3. Be creative - let the postcard be your canvas.

I am not ready to produce my work of art yet, but here are some of last Sunday’s secrets:


If you like these, check out the blog every Sunday for more!
http://www.postsecret.com/