Students get the opportunity to hear their professors speak on art pieces at the Museum
By Tucker Swiastyn
Michael Robertson addresses a gathering of students as he talks about an art piece on display at the Nelson Atkins Muesum.
Photo courtesy of the college
Youthful eyes glare and glaze over as the teacher tries to make the lesson plans come to life. Some students’ eyes are opened by the teacher’s knowledge, and others use the time to daydream. Night at the Nelson is a chance for students to see their professors in a different light. The myth that professors never leave the classroom will be busted.
For the past 18 years, on the third Friday of every April, the college hosts an event at the Nelson Atkins Art Museum, where professors speak on pieces of art they are passionate about. Humanities professor Michael Robertson has participated at the event since the beginning.
“As a professor of art histories and humanities … you hope you light a fire in some of them [students],” Robertson said. “For a knowledge and appreciation for the arts that is transformative, that it becomes part of the students’ everyday experience.”
In many cases, students have never been to the Nelson. If students have, there is a chance that they have not been since an elementary school field trip. Night at the Nelson gives students the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom.
“It allows students to experience education in the point of view that the world is an opportunity to learn,” Julie Hutchison, art history department, said. “Not just in the confines of school. You can learn things everywhere and it will make your life richer.”
Timothy Hoare, humanities professor, has been part of the event for the past 16 years. Asian art is his specialty. This year he will be speaking on a Japanese screen painting that contains unique features not found in most Asian art. The art piece is titled Spring and Autumn With Children Playing at the Seashore.
“It is my favorite event of the spring semester,” Hoare said. “Any professor who told you that there was not a performer buried inside of them would be lying. I just really enjoy doing it; it’s fun and I get to talk about something I know about. And I get to dress to the nines.”
Being a local museum, The Nelson Atkins’ world-renowned pieces can be overlooked or underappreciated.
“The Nelson is truly one of the great art collections in the United States,” said Allison Smith, associate professor chair of art history. “It truly has one of the most significant encyclopedic art collections in the US.”
There are no requirements for attendance to the event. Every professor participating in the event will have tickets to hand out to students. While the event itself is free, anyone planning on attending will need a ticket.
The Night at the Nelson will start at 6 p.m. on April 17. Students are encouraged to show up around 5 p.m. for free and distance-friendly parking.