michael manning

Michael Manning Art and Education during Covid: The Traveling Classroom by Peter Weiss

Michael Manning is a long time artist and educator that more than anything tries to bring a working studio practice sensibility into the classroom. It’s a way of having students see themselves as young developing artists. His hands on approach is all about engagement, opportunity  and exposure, making his classes filled with memorable moments. Always looking for ways to connect to a student interest and lives, his classes leave an impression that can last a lifetime. 

It would seem that his energetic hands on approach in the classroom, or studio as he always refers to with his students, wouldn’t translate well in the virtual, hybrid learning environments of our Covid world. However, taking a page from the creative world he develops in the art studio/classroom, which is all about problem solving, he found a wonderful solution.  When things began to change he adapted seeing new possibilities in a world where so many felt boxed in and isolated. He not only maintains a sense of connection, keeping his students engaged but also has found a way to make things feel a little bit normal, keeping them wanting more, plugged in, eager to create and learn. 

Instead of sitting in the classroom lecturing on art history and how to create art in the virtual world via zoom, Manning decided to take his studio on the road conducting classes from  galleries and museums and artist’s studios. His Special Topics Class has Michael physically conducting classes from unique locations, offering students an up close look into the larger art world. It’s become one of his most popular days and allows students to experience and connect to things in a more meaningful way. It's a casual atmosphere as he walks around looking at paintings and sculptures answering questions based on a project and background work students have done on the location or artist.  

One of his recent memorable outings was going to the New Museum down on the Bowery in NYC  as the class explored the work of Jordan Casteel and Peter Saul. The students absolutely loved the work and seeing manning physically in front of the paintings gave them a sense of interaction that would not have come from just looking at slides. Real time questions along with quirky things like getting yelled at by the security guard for talking too much and then a stroll down the Bowery to his favorite dumpling house in the Lower Eastside gave students an experience, something put on hold in many aspects of their current lives. Visiting artist studios was even better as they get to inject in time. Many of the artists visited give advice and look at work students are producing. Getting advice for a professional working artist is a monumental experience for them helping to future their interest and creativity. 

When I ask Michael why he goes to such lengths to conduct classes, he says, “honestly, I am doing it selfishly because it's something I love to do.” This may be true but what’s underlining everything he does is a willingness to share and help young student artists develop, especially during this extreme new world. He also sees this as a foundation for when things open up more. One of the nicest things about it is that it exposes students, most of whom live in the Bronx and surrounding areas, to facilities and organizations all accessible from the NYC area, making them an ideal places to visit with friends and families in the future. The Special Topic Class also provides an unique opportunity to interact with established contemporary artists offering a glimpse into their studio practice and professional careers. PW

 Special Topics Class:  Every Wednesday, we explore museums, galleries, arts organizations and visit artists’ studios. The goal of the Special Topics Class is to broaden the students' understanding and appreciation of art and how it connects to our  projects, especially their own creative process. We visit and interact with world-class museums, galleries and established, professional artists. On Wednesdays, the students are virtual as I conduct the classes from the actual locations. This gives the students a better, more in depth perspective compared to reviewing websites and images online. The day has become one of our most popular events, exposing students to a wide range of organizations that are important in the art world and connected to other academic classes. Prior to visiting these locations, background information is reviewed to facilitate discussion and as references for some of our work. One of the nicest things about it is that it exposes students to facilities and organizations all accessible from the NYC area, making them an ideal places to visit with friends and families in the future. The Special Topic Class also provides an unique opportunity to interact with established contemporary artists offering a glimpse into their studio practice and professional careers. 

In addition to his studio practice, Michael is the head of the art department for a New York high school where the Special Topics Classes are organized. He also runs Red Shoe Studios, organizing classes, programs and Social Practice Art projects. The projects are connected to art programs at the Boys & Girls Club, local Public Schools and the Developing Artist Program funded with a grant from the Greenwich Alliance for Education. Michael wrote and piloted the initial program that has now expanded and is run with fellow artist educator Ben Quesnel. Additional funding for the Developing Artist Program comes from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, CT Office of the Arts (COA), and the National Endowment for the Arts.