Faculty Spotlight - Linda Berkley

What do you teach at EvCC?

I teach Studio Arts which have included ART 110 Art Foundations and Design, ART 115 Drawing I, ART 113/114 Life Drawing I, II, ART 116 Drawing II, ART 123 Intro to Studio Arts, ART 200/201 Painting I, II, ART 206/206 Watercolor I, II.

Tell us a little about your professional background.

I am a professional artist and art instructor working in drawing, painting, illustration, collage and mixed media since 1986. I’m a graduate of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, received my MFA at the University of Arizona, Tucson and a Certificate of Scientific Illustration at University of Washington, Seattle.

I have been a full-time studio art faculty at EvCC since 2005 and am also art department chair. I was an art faculty at Portland Community College for over 10 years. In recent studio work, I am exploring Rozome (Japanese dye painting) while continuing with my drawing, painting and mixed media artwork.

Why did you choose EvCC?

I missed teaching after moving to the east Seattle area from Portland, OR. I found that EvCC was seeking a studio art faculty member and the position was in keeping with my experience, skills and interests. 

How has the pandemic affected you? How are you doing?

I am grateful to be healthy and safe, to have the support of my husband (another real person), and to have meaningful work. I do not miss driving to work. I miss the physical aspects of teaching, especially in a studio classroom, being present during the creative process, interacting with my students and my colleagues in ways I appreciate now more than ever. 

I have been anxious about my ability to communicate effectively with my students in an online environment. I have gone through periods of screen overload, fatigue, ergonomic strain, sleeplessness and dreaming of my never ending to-do list. Through it all, I am so glad to have made connections with my students this term in spite of and perhaps because of the pandemic conditions. I appreciate their support and the support of my colleagues at the college in helping me make and maintain my ability to connect.

How have you adapted your curriculum and teaching methods to support students who are learning from home?

My studio art students are maintaining an ongoing Google Slide portfolio of their art projects.  It is a record of their process and progress through the class, a great tool for sharing work with classmates and me, and acts as a reflective journal of their observations, challenges and questions. I rely on recorded weekly zoom sessions to check in with my classes, introduce lessons and answer questions.
 

We’re finding breakout sessions, small group work and Canvas discussion forums helpful and necessary ways to create our class community. I’m revising most of my course material to include instructions, information and lectures that I would have delivered in person and adding step-by-step illustrations and video demonstrations to the Canvas content. In addition to the zoom meetings, I stay in touch with my students via email and individual advising sessions via zoom. 

What advice do you have for students who are taking online or livestream classes for the first time?

Create a study schedule with regular breaks to stretch, move about, drink water and look at, touch and interact with the real world. Ask for help and support whenever and wherever you need it (your instructor, classmates, counselors, eLearning, tutoring.) Avoid marathon sessions before deadlines by pacing your work. Back up your work as you go. Breathe - no really, breathe - in and out, consciously! Find ways that work for you to “meet” your classmates and let them know who you are - post your picture, fill out your Canvas profile, participate in discussions, share your passions, etc.

What do you like to do for fun?

Gardening - all stages - watching compost transform to loamy, dark soil, planting seeds and imagining them flowering, fruiting and full grown, watching seeds emerge, tending and talking to my plants and feasting my eyes and palette on their bounty.

Walking, swimming, hiking and sketching in nature, listening or reading a good book, laughing with friends and family, watching birds, playing and petting my cat, and on. 

What is your favorite snack?

Seasonal berries, fruit or veggies.  

Anything else you’d like to add?

Thank you all for sharing your grace and good humor under duress. I receive hope, support and encouragement daily from my interactions with you, my students and my colleagues. In appreciation, Linda Berkley