Students were presented with half a dozen original art objects for close examination and discussion in class. Each then chose an artwork to study more closely and wrote a short analysis describing and interpreting their art object.

Students visited the Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute located in Utica, NY, to view works by Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Edward Hopper. Each then chose one or more works to study more closely and wrote a short analysis describing and interpreting their chosen artwork(s).

Students selected an artist of interest and wrote an wrote an essay about one one or more of that artist’s works in one of the following art collections: Karen and Kevin Kennedy ’70; Munson-Williams-Proctor Art Institute; and the Wellin Museum Collection of American Art.

In early October, the class traveled to New York City, spending time with art industry leaders at The Whitney Museum, Christie’s and at several galleries, art dealers and individual collectors. On their return, students wrote a short response to an object that was discussed or a person that they interviewed.

Students selected an object among those studied during the semester and presented it to an audience from the Hamilton College community.

Students worked in small teams to pitch an art object for the Wellin Museum to acquire.

Students researched and prepared questions for various museum, gallery and auction-house art industry leaders. Interviews were conducted in New York City and via conference call.

The class worked as a group on a small physical exhibition of works from the art collection of Karen and Kevin Kennedy ’70. In addition, students worked in small teams to curate their own virtual exhibitions using works selected from the Kennedy collection; Munson-Williams-Proctor Art Institute; and the Wellin Museum Collection of American Art.