Connor Fellowships are awarded to current grad students seeking to make a positive impact on the Art Ed Department here at City College, and on the larger citywide art education community! This post is part of a series introducing Fall 2023 Connor Fellows.
Meet Reyhaneh Gheydi, who is supporting the department through her great efforts in offering workshops for her fellow Arts/Museum Ed peers:
Materials Exploration Workshops
As a dedicated final-semester student in Museum Education, I have been contemplating ways to contribute valuable ideas for both current and future students. Through careful consideration, I have identified a potential area of enrichment—materials exploration workshops. Having a background in engineering and pursuing a master’s degree in art studies, my unique educational journey has emphasized the importance of catering to students with non-traditional art backgrounds and Art History students primarily engaged in a theoretical context. Recognizing the need for diverse learning resources, I’ve proposed exploring global artists’ materials in museums. This effort aims to provide educators with a robust database, acting as a source of inspiration and guidance in formulating well-rounded lesson plans. The proposed content also includes workshops designed to provide hands-on experiences with a variety of artistic materials. Such an endeavor empowers educators to curate tailored lesson plans, nurturing a comprehensive understanding of materials and their application in artistic activities. By cultivating the comfort and confidence of museum educators in working with diverse materials, we equip them to harness these elements as potent tools within the learning process. Furthermore, this initiative has the potential to spark creativity among both museum educators and visitors by encouraging the exploration of various materials during the creation of artwork, particularly in the context of close examination during museum tours. Details for the workshop will be announced soon.
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Reyhaneh Gheydi, a Museum Education student at CCNY, possesses a diverse educational background with degrees in biomedical engineering and art studies, focusing on aesthetic experience and art therapy. Her academic journey underscores the transformative impact of art on health and well-being. As a social impact facilitator at the Whitney Museum, she has actively been engaged in Art Studio and health-related programs. Committed to community well-being, Reyhaneh contributes to fostering a positive atmosphere within the CCNY community. She hopes future Museum Education students will continue the material exploration workshops and aims to create accessible documentation for ongoing updates in the CCNY Museum Education program.
