#featuremeFPU

Last year, students Seth Garcia and Calvin Abbott created a nearly to-scale replica of the FPU campus on Minecraft. They spent many hours working on this for Professor Chris Janzen’s Fall 2019 Art Appreciation course, as part of the “Creativity Assignment”. The purpose of the assignment was to investigate the root purpose of studying art: the cultivation of creative thought. Students were invited to create their own artwork in whatever media they chose; the more innovative and unprecedented the better.  

“The world was my idea, but I totally meant it as a joke,” says Seth. “When Chris Jansen talked about our ‘Creativity Project’, I jokingly told Calvin that we should make the school in Minecraft. But Calvin loved the idea so we asked Chris and he said that it was an idea he had never heard of in his teaching career. We built the school on Calvin’s Xbox and we would each take a building on campus and build it. We would take Calvin’s scooter and scoot around campus taking pictures so we can get accurate images. Even when Calvin would go home for the weekend, I borrowed his Xbox so I could build alone. It was honestly so much fun building it.” 

Calvin adds, “I recall having no clue what I should do for the creativity project. Having sat by my buddy Seth, one day he said that a good idea would be building FPU in Minecraft. He didn’t seem serious about it, but from the moment Seth shared his idea my mind sparked with visions of what FPU would look like in the virtual world of Minecraft. With 157 hours of collaborative efforts, Seth and I slowly brought to reality a life size version of FPU in the virtual world of Minecraft. For me, this project has embodied the outcome of what can be accomplished when even a few decide to work as a team.”

Four years ago, I came to FPU to learn English, but they gave me the opportunity to complete my degree in Graphic Design as well as to go for my dream major, Psychology. FPU and the International Programs and Services Office (IPSO) have been one of my biggest blessings, and I am very thankful for each opportunity I have had through them. It was an honor to lead the International Club and to work with other international students. Additionally, I enjoyed assisting the FPU community with Moodle through my work with the Center for Online Learning (COL) and learning more about social initiatives for the Central Valley in working with the Center for Community Transformation (CCT). Today marks the end of my time at FPU, but I will miss the university and its people. #loveFPU #sunbird4life #fpugrad2020

-Carolina Mueller, Art/Psychology

Art program director, Rebecca McMillen, Ph.D. wants her students to succeed in the classroom and in the workforce. Read our Q&A with Dr. McMillen to learn more about why she’s passionate about the arts!

Q: What is the best part about teaching at FPU?
A: “Being able to really get to know my students. They are not just a number to me. I feel I can invest in their lives and help guide them in the Art and Design field. By the time they graduate, we know each other pretty well.”

Q: What is your favorite class to teach?
A: “My passion is helping students use their creativity in a career they love so I teach a course called Art Careers. In this class I help students really figure out what they want to do with art and how to do it. It’s a practical course which helps equip students for work life after college.”

Q: If you could give students one piece of advice what would it be?
A: “Find your ‘why’, your passion, and pursue it.”

“It’s hard to study in a second language but it is a blessing being in a Christian community where we are always encouraged. I enjoy that the classes are small, so we are able to interact with other students and with our professors." 

- Carolina Mueller, Graphic Arts, Colombia 🇨🇴

Congratulations to our art education faculty Janice Leppke, recipient of a 2018 Horizon Award! The Fresno Arts Council held it’s 33rd Annual Horizon Awards ceremony on Sunday, October 21st, to honor artists who are making great contributions to our community. Way to go, Janice! 🎨

During this time of the year, the Painting I takes advantage of the gorgeous weather and uses our campus as inspiration for their paintings. Every other week students set up their easels and paints outside and get to work. It’s so cool walking around campus and seeing how the classroom isn’t contained to just 4 walls. Look out for the student’s artwork in Charlotte’s Coffee Corner soon. 🎨🖌️