Virtual VACOP: Art Careers in A Global Pandemic

As you all know by now, the 2020-21 school year was presented with many challenges as the world faced a once-in-a-century global pandemic. Though we were mostly quarantined at home, the VACOP program persisted with virtual programming for the year. 

14 students from the Pittsburgh area were able to log on to Zoom to meet with AAP artists in various art-based careers, providing a new way to continue the 30-year-old program, which works as a part of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit Career Connections program.

In October, we kicked off the program with local 2D artist Lauren Scavo-Fulk. Lauren gave the students some insight into her career as an artist and worked on a landscape project with them in charcoal and graphite. For more information on Lauren, click here.

October workshop sample by student Cadence F.

November’s session included a drawing demo and tour of the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild art facility by current AAP Education Coordinator Claira Heitzenrater. Not only did the students learn about portrait drawing, but also had the opportunity to learn about the career of a teaching artist! For more information on MCG Youth & Arts, click here.

November workshop sample by Logan K.

In December, students met with ScareHouse scenic artist Heather Heitzenrater, who also works full-time as a painter. Everyone was excited to get a behind-the-scenes tour of the scarehouse and learn about set design- especially spooky set design! Click here for more information on Heather and the ScareHouse.

The ScareHouse, image found here.

February provided the VACOP crew with an inside look at Creative Citizen Studios, where students had the opportunity to join in on one of the CCS classes, as well as learn about their programming initiatives! For more information on CCS, click here.

 In March, students had the pleasure of creating their own mock-ups for mural projects with CMU Professor Clayton Merrell. Though we weren’t able to meet in person, the crew still had the opportunity to view several of Merrell’s projects with places such as the Pittsburgh Airport. They were also introduced to the profession of teaching at the collegiate level, which interested the students greatly! For more information on Clayton’s work, click here.

Clayton Merrell, “the Sky Beneath Our Feet”, image found here.

For our last session in April, students met with AAP artist Nicole Renee Ryan, and learned all about creating a body of work! We also had a chance to get a virtual studio tour and learn more about working as a full-time artist. For more information on Nicole’s work, click here.

Nicole Renee Ryan talking about her work over zoom.

All in all, a year of virtual VACOP provided many challenges; but none of these challenges stopped us from introducing students to myriad careers in the arts and furthering the mission of the VACOP program. We’re looking forward to in-person programming again, starting this Fall!