RE LOG Fall 2017

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 37 The Bowden Fellowship granted me the opportunity to attend the Rhode Island School of Design pre-college summer program in Providence, R.I. This course truly opened my eyes to an immersive art school experience that thoroughly changed my life and for which I will be forever grateful. At RISD, I was exposed to a plethora of new materials and techniques that gave me a greater sense of perspective in terms of art making. I used charcoal, inks and paint, and was able to do life drawings of nude figure models, and skeletons from the wonderful RISD nature lab. In addition, through RISD’s “crit” sessions, in which students and teachers critique and discuss each student’s work in a group setting, I learned how to talk about my work and present myself as an artist. The atmosphere at RISD was alive and buzzing, as I was surrounded by passionate, motivated students who truly loved art and making art as much as I do. Because of this, I was able to create drawings that will enrich my portfolio. Essentially, my RISD experience solidified my desire to become a full-fledged artist and gave me the tools and the confidence to do so, which is invaluable to me. I look forward to exhibiting and discussing the work I produced this summer on campus, and bringing the creative and critical techniques I learned to the art studios at RE. In headline after headline, lives of Syrian refugees may seem a world away, but in reality, these are stories of real people in our own community. The premise behind my Bowden Fellowship was to film a short documentary that would explore the human condition of these displaced people and provide a platform for the voices of Syrian refugee families in Miami, voices rarely heard. This opportunity introduced me to their world, a world that was foreign yet familiar. My first interaction with these resilient people came at the Syrian Supper Club, monthly dinners in Coconut Grove held in honor of recently arrived families. The dinners allow the Syrians to cook their food and celebrate their culture, while sharing their stories. I was nervous, hoping to make the right impression and garner their trust; enough trust that they would feel comfortable sharing their lives on camera. My film touches on the pain of their past, while looking to their future. The documentary will help to raise awareness and empower the women. I am grateful to faculty member Ms. Jen Nero for offering invaluable guidance and support on this life-changing project. Ms. Nero introduced me to law professor Jessi Tamayo ’99 , under whose direction I collaborated on the startup of an all-female Syrian catering business that helps Syrian women contribute to their families’ income. It has been gratifying to conduct compelling interviews and build strong relationships, since my work on the documentary will continue throughout my senior year. The doors opened by the Bowden Fellowship have been most rewarding and have broadened my understanding of the world around me. Violet Handforth ’18 : Art immersion at RISD Noa Richard ’18 : The plight of Syrian refugees