Ron Johnson’s Art and Athletics course is a unique collaborative opportunity that allows students from two different kinds of fields to learn from one another. It encourages student athletes to re-engage their latent creative skills, and allows artists to see how their work ethic can match the rigorous practice regimen of a devoted athlete. Johnson, assistant professor of painting and printmaking, has been teaching two sections of the class for more than two years, and organized an accompanying exhibition of student work in May.
In a recent Richmond Times-Dispatch article, athletes and artists from VCU talked about how the experience helped them appreciate one another’s passions.
Jordan Rasure, a field hockey player at VCU, didn’t mind being pushed, especially in a class she found enjoyable, interesting and different.
“There was this weird dynamic,” Rasure said. “There would be some people making a whole lot of noise over there, sometimes we’re sitting on the floor just doodling and sometimes we’re up on easels painting. So I really liked how the atmosphere was constantly changing.
“Sometimes, I would sit in the corner and just watch what happens. Watching artists make art deepened my appreciation for what goes into all of those pieces you see in a museum. Watching people paint over canvases because they don’t like when I’m like, ‘That is amazingly beautiful.’, the perfectionism, so many different techniques, it really blew me away.
“There are a lot more similarities between art and being an athlete than a most people realize. We all have to practice every day, whether it’s practicing art in terms of making things or practicing a sport.”
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