Colleen M. Deitrich
Liverpool High School Class of 2007
Liverpool, New York

This past summer I had the honor of being selected as one of 17 students to participate in the Summer Art Institute at SUNY (State University of New York) Oswego. The Institute ran for two weeks in July. As students we selected three class choices. We attended three college-level classes per day, three hours per class. We took art classes in theory, technique, history, and philosophy. We used a variety of media, and the length of the classes allowed us to really explore our creativity and have a lot of fun. Spending time with other like-minded, creative students allowed me to be free to explore more in depth my inner creativity and thoughts, and express them through the various techniques and avenues provided.

In the middle weekend we traveled to Ottawa, Ontario, where we toured the National Museum and the Museum of Civilization, and we had the opportunity to meet with local artists. Staying at the SUNY Oswego campus gave us a chance to see what dorm life is like, what it is like to be exhausted at the end of the day but still have homework to do, and have a trial run of dining hall food. I think the very best part was meeting other students from nearby and far away, and laughing and learning together. Seeing how other students channel their creativity helped me to channel mine in new ways too!

At the end of the two weeks, we held an art exhibit for our families and friends. What a sight to see--all of our hearts and souls on canvas, paper and print; in photos, charcoal, plaster and clay. I now have a wonderful experience to remember for a lifetime, and three college credits to start my higher academic career.

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