“Students always have questions that I don’t expect,” said Professor Theresa Antonellis about the high school sophomores and juniors she teaches at Aliquippa High School. Since the beginning of last fall, Professor Antonellis has participated in the Humanities Ladder Program through the Stone House Center for Public Humanities. Once a week, Professor Antonellis brings college-level ideas to these high schoolers and introduces them to the humanities experience through art. With a foundation similar to the Overview of Western Art class that she teaches at SRU, Professor Antonellis is able to appreciate the similarities and differences among her students. She has found that at the university, her class of one hundred predominantly freshmen students has a very different capacity for engagement compared to the ten to twenty student classes she teaches at Aliquippa.

With the help of her student mentor, Tommy Thompson, a junior in Secondary Education and Social Studies, Professor Antonellis has been able to teach ancient art history and transition to more contemporary artworks this semester. After reviewing new art history terms that students could apply to these artworks, the students dove into the history of presidents, all the way back to George Washington. Professor Antonellis then introduced the portraits of the Obamas, which were unveiled on February 12th. These portraits, pictured above, made history for featuring the first African-American presidential couple. The Smithsonian Institute’s National Portrait Gallery also made history for comissioning the first African-American painters to complete these presidential portraits. After seeing the portraits and learning that Kehinde Wiley painted Barack Obama and Amy Sherald painted Michelle Obama, the students’ first question shocked Professor Antonellis and Thompson: “Who paid for these portraits, and how much do they cost?” Though she didn’t know the answers at the time, Professor Antonellis returned the following week to share that private donors and philanthropists had sponsored these portraits.
A few classrooms down, Professor Sean Macmillian and his student mentor, Marie Ellis, a senior English Education major with a minor in Dance, are implementing an art appreciation class through the Humanities Ladder Program, as well. Professor Macmillan, who typically teaches metalsmithing and three-dimensional workshops at the university, is excited to be able to present art and artists that he typically doesn’t at the university. His goal is to introduce his two classes of fifteen students to art and artists that they are unfamiliar with. By taking familiar images like American Gothic and the Mona Lisa, the students were able to begin breaking down images into their fundamental designs and principles, opposed to just seeing the “pretty” aspects of the artworks. As their conversations steer towards context, students will soon be able to explore what the artists were trying to communicate in each piece.

One of the largest challenges Professor Macmillan has found is that these forty-three minute high school classes fly by significantly faster than his typical three-hour long workshops! With the time constraint, the students have been discussing artworks, and only recently began creating their own. Until recently, since metalsmithing is such a slow and deliberate process, Professor Macmillan had been taking more of a theoretical approach, using design elements and principles as a vehicle to talk about art beyond “I like it.”  He began this semester by facilitating “creativity generation exercises” to challenge students who shy away from art by claiming not to be creative enough. “Creativity is a skill,” Professor Macmillan explained, “as such, it can be learned and amplified, not only for visual arts, but also for writing stories, musical compositions, or research projects in the science fields.” On March 23rd, Professor Macmillan demonstrated moving metal with hammers and little chisels, called Chasing and Repousee, and students were able to try it for themselves. Hmmm… wonder what they’ll create next week!

Learn more about the Humanities Ladder program here.

Don't forget to check out all of our Humanities Ladder videos too!

Did you see?
The CPH has an official trailer, featuring footage from our events and programs.
The trailer also features an interview with CPH co-director Aaron Cowan.

Check it out! 
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Each month, The Stone House Center for Public Humanities interviews a humanities scholar or community member and asks them everything from why they believe the humanities are important to what they're currently binge-watching. We hope that our new blog series, Coffee & Questions, will inspire you, introduce you to a variety of people and fields, as well as create new conversations.

Our guest this month is Julia Null, Student Assistant at the Stone House Center for Public Humanities (CPH). Julia is an art major and graphic design minor at Slippery Rock University. She is from Canton, OH and currently a Senior at Slippery Rock University. After school, she hopes to find a position working as a Graphic Designer or Art Director. She assists the CPH in designing eye-catching event flyers, informational handouts, and program booklets. She also writes a variety of articles about the importance of the humanities. 

What inspires you in your current position/role?
I am inspired by the past experience of designing various types of work. Through the knowledge and skills learned over the years I am able to be inspired to invent a new approach in designs.
 
What work experiences (past or present) have been the most educational for you, and why?
The most educational experiences have been in the event where I received corrections. When I have done something incorrect or have not known how to use a certain tool, I gain the most valuable knowledge. By learning from mistakes the information sticks better.
 
What's a book you've always wanted to read but haven't gotten around to?
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. I have seen the movie and heard the story many times as it is one of my favorites. However, I have yet to read the original book. I hope to find the time within the next few years.
 
What shows are you currently binge-watching?
I am currently watching Greys Anatomy and re-watching The Office.
 
What is the worst job that you had while working through your degree and what would you tell your past self now?
The worst job I ever held during college was when I worked at Wendy’s. It was a very humbling job. I was required to learn how to thrive in a hostile environment. I had to learn ways of dealing with difficult people. I also had to deal with the labor of wash dishes and preparing food. This job taught me to be patient, respect other people and most of all that I did not want to do this the rest of my life. It gave me the motivation to want to finish my degree to better myself and create better opportunities. I did not enjoy the time I spent working at Wendy’s but it did help me realize what I did not in life.

Why are the humanities important to you?
The humanities are important to me because it pertains to everything I do. Every subject and activity leads back to being a part of the humanities. Art is a major component in the humanities in my opinion and to me art is extremely important. Science and literature are equally important in my mind. The humanities is such a broad category it is hard to not believe they are important. The humanities give meaning and purpose to our lives. 

~~~

Check back next month for more Coffee & Questions. In case you missed our previous interview with Dr. Joshua Drake, click HERE.

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To learn more about the Stone House Center for Public Humanities & our upcoming events visit: www.stonehousecph.org

​Poems today do not get the recognition they deserve. Science, art and literature are a large part of the humanities. Poetry comes from the extensive languages the human race obtains.

Literature in itself is like poetry. There is beauty and meaning in the different way words can be intertwined.

Language is one of the main ways the human race communicates. Words hold a depth of emotion and meaning, and poetry is a powerful tool in which language can be expressed as an art form. The following poem is an excellent example of the power of the humanities:
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Humanities
by Julie Lumsden
 
A frog is always a frog, a moth
is a moth, swallows
flying in their own manoeuvre.
Watch how it works.  Insects
in and out of these garden petals
as Mum talks about my birthday
and how 1966 was the year
they stopped giving any girl –
Mum’s own name, Myra.
 
Only people can break, change
or mix the rules.  We’ve seen
that young woman smiling
on Saddleworth moor. In prison,
her Open University essay
on the banquet scene in Macbeth
was ‘a pleasure to read.’
Look at the photograph of her
gowned in her graduation pose.
​

​~~~

Want to learn more about the Stone House Center for Public Humanities and how the humanities are helping our community? Click here to learn more.

​Sources:
http://poetrysociety.org.uk/poems/humanities/

Each month, The Stone House Center for Public Humanities interviews a humanities scholar or community member and asks them everything from why they believe the humanities are important to what they're currently binge-watching. We hope that our new blog series, Coffee & Questions, will inspire you, introduce you to a variety of people and fields, as well as create new conversations.

Our guest this month is Julia Null, Student Assistant at the Stone House Center for Public Humanities (CPH). Julia is an art major and graphic design minor at Slippery Rock University. She is from Canton, OH and currently a Senior at Slippery Rock University. After school, she hopes to find a position working as a Graphic Designer or Art Director. She assists the CPH in designing eye-catching event flyers, informational handouts, and program booklets. She also writes a variety of articles about the importance of the humanities. 
​

What inspires you in your current position/role?
I am inspired by the past experience of designing various types of work. Through the knowledge and skills learned over the years I am able to be inspired to invent a new approach in designs.
 
What work experiences (past or present) have been the most educational for you, and why?
The most educational experiences have been in the event where I received corrections. When I have done something incorrect or have not known how to use a certain tool, I gain the most valuable knowledge. By learning from mistakes the information sticks better.
 
What's a book you've always wanted to read but haven't gotten around to?
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. I have seen the movie and heard the story many times as it is one of my favorites. However, I have yet to read the original book. I hope to find the time within the next few years.
 
What shows are you currently binge-watching?
I am currently watching Greys Anatomy and re-watching The Office.
 
What is the worst job that you had while working through your degree and what would you tell your past self now?
The worst job I ever held during college was when I worked at Wendy’s. It was a very humbling job. I was required to learn how to thrive in a hostile environment. I had to learn ways of dealing with difficult people. I also had to deal with the labor of wash dishes and preparing food. This job taught me to be patient, respect other people and most of all that I did not want to do this the rest of my life. It gave me the motivation to want to finish my degree to better myself and create better opportunities. I did not enjoy the time I spent working at Wendy’s but it did help me realize what I did not in life.

Why are the humanities important to you?
The humanities are important to me because it pertains to everything I do. Every subject and activity leads back to being a part of the humanities. Art is a major component in the humanities in my opinion and to me art is extremely important. Science and literature are equally important in my mind. The humanities is such a broad category it is hard to not believe they are important. The humanities give meaning and purpose to our lives. 

~~~

Check back next month for more Coffee & Questions. In case you missed our previous interview with Dr. Joshua Drake, click HERE.

​What qualifies as art has not yet been defined, but the range of what is considered to be art could fill an ocean.

Art can be anything. It can be viewed as a process of organization or as a feeling. That is the beauty of art. There are no boundaries or restrictions.

Art is a form of freedom by using expressive techniques to carry out ones emotions in a physical form. People use art to describe an emotion to others without the use of words, and the humanities attempt to connect with people emotionally, physically, and intelligently. 

Art is the human need to express emotions and connect with other people. It is a language of its own with no barrier in understanding.

Humanity and the arts are connected by the process of art being made by humans to speak and be studied by humans.

With the use of art, it becomes simple to express the feeling of humanity.

~~~

Want to learn more about the Stone House Center for Public Humanities and how the humanities are helping our community? Click here to learn more.

Each month, The Center for Public Humanities interviews a humanities scholar or community member and asks them everything from why they believe the humanities are important to what they're currently binge-watching. We hope that our new blog series, Coffee & Questions, will inspire you, introduce you to a variety of people and fields, as well as create new conversations.

Our guest this month is Angie Settlemire, President of the board of the Grove City Art Council (aka ArtWorks). She is also the founder and director of Outta Theatre. Angie holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Grove City College. She also graduated from Mimeistry International School of Arts  as a Journeyman Mime with a specialization in Directing. In 2006, Angie co-founded Tri-flections, an Imaginative Arts Organization, which performed and toured through 2008. During that time she also assisted with the choreography and direction of the mimodrama, Alice in Wonderland at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan and at the University Of Hartford’s Summer Musical Theatre Intensive.

Regionally, Angie has performed at the Barrow Theatre in Franklin and as a mime for Grove City Art Walk and Strawberry Days. In 2015, she became the GC Art & Theatre Camp Director, as well as President of the Grove City Artworks board.  She plans to continue expanding her class offerings and to create inspiring, fun, family friendly student and professional level performances for the community to enjoy.

What inspires you in your current position/role? 
I am currently the President of the board of the Grove City Arts Council, as well as founder and director of Outta Theatre in Grove City.  The latter is my full time job.  I teach private piano and voice, as well as theatre, mime, and home school music classes.  I started Outta Theatre to bring the performing arts into Grove City and I joined ArtWorks in order to network and help build relationships and bridges that will create a larger more supportive arts community here. 

My inspiration comes from both my passion for creativity and my passion for making a difference in people’s lives.  I love to see a child light up with excitement as he listens to a new kind of music for the first time. And I never get tired of seeing someone go from being reserved and fearful to being full of confidence and life – all because they learned how to break out of their comfort zone to perform on stage. That is something that changes a person forever. Art (music & theatre specifically) brings out the best in someone; it opens their eyes to show them who they truly are and sets them free. 

What project(s) are you currently working on?
The Grove City Arts Council (aka ArtWorks) started a summer Art & Theatre Camp 6 years ago.  This is my 3rd year as director of the camp.  It is a very large undertaking, but such an important opportunity for the kids in our community.  It is coming up July 17-21, so a lot of time is focusing on getting ready for that.  Last year we had over 80 kids enrolled.  This year we are not at that number yet, but enrollment is still open, so I am hopeful that families will continue to take advantage of this experience.

This year we are offering classes in Creative Writing, Musical Theatre, Kids Theatre, Physical Theatre, Ceramics, Yarn Arts, Mosaics, Watercolor, Dance, Puppet Creations, Beach Art, and SENSE-ational Art for preschoolers.  We are also offering an extension camp  the week of July 31 at Grove City High School – it’s Wheel Throwing taught by Chris Bauer, one of the district’s art teachers.  It’s an exciting time. 

On top of that, as director of Outta Theatre, I am also organizing a 3 day Piano Olympics Camp in the morning and Singing Olympics Camp in the afternoon July 26-28. It’s going to be a high-energy, fun way to explore piano and singing technique. 

Outta Theatre has been doing Kids and Teen shows regularly for almost 5 years now, and now it’s time to start branching out into adult theatre, as well.  I would love to start an annual tradition of holding a Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre weekend.  We are holding auditions for our first Murder Mystery play on June 30 for ages 16 & up.

Why do you believe that the humanities are important to everyone, and not just people in academia? 
Art is the most powerful way to open the door into unreachable places inside of someone’s heart.  I’ve seen people who struggle with self-image absolutely blossom as they discover the freedom of creative expression.  Art can help bring healing.  It is about celebrating life, exploring ideas, facing fears, connecting people, embarking on adventures, communicating truth, and coping with loss.  It makes us laugh and cry because art is at the core of what makes us human. 

What is something that people might be surprised to learn about you (hobby, skill, interesting story)?  
After my first year at Mimeistry (a performing arts school in California), we spent a month in Switzerland for a mime performance tour.  Afterwards, two friends and I decided we would hop over to Italy for 3 days. Those 3 days would make a great movie! We stayed at a monastery college in the middle of nowhere and no one spoke English. Two days in a row the monks drove us to the train station just in time for us to MISS the train.  We had to wait a couple of hours for the next one.  On top of that, the trains went on strike our last day and we almost missed the last one back to where we were staying.  We literally had to run to catch it and then we had to guess what transfers to take because it was different than the original trip.  In order to get to the airport on our last day we had to pay one of the monks to give us a ride.  We also got sick while we were there and by the time we touched down at LAX – I had completely lost my voice and couldn’t make a sound for the next 5 days.  It took weeks for my voice to fully recover.  And that is only a little bit of the story.

What shows are you currently binge-watching? 
I am in between binge-watchings at the moment.  Most recently would be The Flash. 
 
What is the worst job that you had while working through your degree and what would you tell your past self now?
My worst job was actually after I graduated from both Grove City College and Mimeistry International.  I was trying to get a theatre performance company started with 2 other friends with whom I went to school in California.  We all had 2 jobs on top of trying to get bookings and traveling whenever we could – we performed in several states, but not consistently. 

I started working as a substitute teacher AND I worked at the outlet mall cleaning the food court and the restrooms. It was a temporary job, but I thought I had descended into the pits of eternal punishment. It gave me an amazing appreciation for all of those hard working folks out there who continue to clean those places so that we can enjoy them. And I could tell you disgustingly funny stories about that time! If I could jump in a time machine and talk to myself, I would mostly say “Suck it up! This is only temporary and it will give you some great stories to tell. We all have to do whatever it takes to reach our dreams.”

~~~

Check back next month for more Coffee & Questions. In case you missed Aksel Casson's interview last month, click here.

Want to be interviewed? Contact us.  

In today’s society, higher education is largely marketed for its ability to better prepare individuals for the real world and securing a career, but rarely is it marketed for aiding individuals in their ability to pursue a good life. Studying the humanities allows us to dive into the depths of what it means to be human, and in turn, take part in the ongoing dialogue of what it means to live a good life.
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The humanities offer enlightenment on what constitutes the good and exemplifies the importance of virtuous characteristics, such as altruism, charity, civility, compassion, and generosity. The various lessons we can learn from the humanities transfer into the flourishing of individuals and society. Here are some examples:

• Studying great literature helps us appreciate and enlarge our horizons on the human condition, while increasing our capacity for empathy.
• Studying history provides us with a window into the past and allows us to understand human nature and society, allowing us to make wiser choices in the future.
• Studying art challenges us to see reality through new perspectives, while introducing us to aesthetic values and providing a gateway to the good in the guise of the beautiful.
• Studying philosophy forces us to confront the most basic intellectual questions: What can we know? What is human nature? What is of value?

Studying the humanities allows us to see how rich a human life can be and what makes a life worthwhile.

Want to learn more about the Stone House Center for Public Humanities and how the humanities are helping our community? Click here to learn more.