When people return from overseas programs, they usually come back with souvenirs they purchased as a reminder of their time. For this past summer’s Global Outreach and China Now team, four students and one art professor returned with an art gallery.
Asst. Professor of Art Beverly Austin and sophomores Maggie Cox, Brandon Rickett, Hayden Rickett and Paige Martin spent four weeks in China teaching English to university students while developing their art skills; their work is now on display in the Stephens Art Gallery.
Austin and the four students spent three weeks teaching students at Yangtze University in Jingzhou, China.
The students taught conversational English by using the Bible, while Austin taught western art principles.
When the students were not teaching, they were busy working on their art. The four Harding students also took a drawing class from Austin while overseas.
Martin said she primarily worked with pen and ink, oil pastels and watercolors. Her favorite piece, however, was her photography, which she calls “trash can bread.”
All of China was their tool for working on art, but Martin said she got most of her inspiration from the Three Gorges Village and the Great Wall of China.
“Going to China was never in my travel plans, but God just spoke through Mrs.. Austin and all of us,” Martin said.
While art skills were being developed, Brandon Rickett said he learned the most about the cultural art of the area. The Chinese use more vertical art techniques while he was used to linear perspectives.
Brandon Rickett said he was most inspired by the mountainous regions and the landscapes.
Austin said that her goal for her students was that they would create art.
“We went with the idea that through our art, we would reach people that we could talk to about Jesus,” Austin said.
One of the main goals of their trip was to use art to show others the love of the Lord.
“I never had an opportunity to combine mission with art so that was really a unique experience,” Brandon Rickett said.
The “Art in China” exhibit is on display in the Stephens Art Gallery until Sept. 12.
