Delanie Dickens
Photography Editor
The term “art” encompasses a wide variety of definitions and meanings. Art might be a painting, a melodic tune stuck in our head, a beautifully directed film, or even a deep conversation with someone we love. The things we enjoy, the things we aspire to do and become are our own personal art. We cook, sing, photograph, and write our own art as a reflection of the world around us. Simply put, we all have an art. We all need art to thrive.
For Joshua James Knott, the lead instructor of Art and Design for the Fine Arts Division here at Crowder, teaching and inspiring students has become an art that he himself intends to perfect.
Knott began his pursuit for a career in Art and Design at Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts in Art and Design. Afterwards, he attended Tulane University in New Orleans and attained a Master of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing. In 2016, Knott claimed his new title at Crowder College as Lead Instructor
A number of influences have helped guide his journey as an artist.
“My father (is the) biggest supporter I have had since I decided to become an artist,” Josh explained.
Knott has been impacted by other inspirations in his life as well. “I took a fantastic 20th Century Art History Class junior year,” Knott said, “ in that class, I was exposed to some artists that most certainly left a mark on me and pushed me into seriously considering art.”
Artists including, Robert Rauschenberg, Francis Bacon, Jean-Michel Basquiat, David Salle, and Jean Dubuffet, “all had unique ways of working and thinking about the world that affected me early on in my development as an artist.”
Like most of us, Josh continues to find inspiration in his life that propel him towards his goals and passions. More recent artistries include film and music. “Films and music by David Lynch and music by Kanye West, Jonny Greenwood, Penderecki, Earl Sweatshirt, too many to name,” Knott listed.
These inspirations have been stepping stones on the path towards Mr. Knott’s successes as both an artist and a mentor. Although Knott believes he has yet to achieve his, ““greatest accomplishment landmark,” he assured that his greatest professional achievement thus far has been landing the job here at Crowder in 2016.
“I was lucky enough to study under and interact with some incredible art professors during my time as a student. They all certainly made a monumental impression on me,” Knott praised. “What it means to be a teacher, an artist, a colleague. They more or less kind of became my heroes, what I wanted to strive to be and attain.”
Knott is just as passionate and enthusiastic about teaching and guiding his students as he is his own artistic career. Knott takes pride in the impact that the art courses on campus truly have on students who are willing to accept the challenge.
“His (Knott’s) teaching style is very motivational, yet chill. He challenged me,” said Freshman Sophia Rogers.
“I love being in the studio with students, I love teaching art and talking about art and turning others on to my obsessions. Nothing more gratifying than seeing a student struggle, work hard, solve problems, and finally succeed,” the instructor continued, “You see a sort of burst of energy in their eyes, that pleasure of bringing an object into the world, of taking an ambiguous concept or emotion or thought and making it physical. That’s the good stuff.”
This sentiment would eventually motivate Joshua Knott to dedicate his career to guiding art students. “(Teaching) seemed like a good way to spend my life….making stuff and helping others do the same,” Knott concluded.
Since his time at Crowder, Josh Knott and colleague, Instructor Joshua Novak, have established extensive goals for their department. In hopes of reaching and impacting as many students as possible, Crowder’s Fine Arts division has rapidly grown into an impressive aspect of Crowder academics.
The Fine Arts Department at Crowder College offers an abundance of courses ranging from Art Appreciation to Drawing, Printmaking, and Ceramics. “Josh Novak, the 3D instructor, and I focus on providing our students with several avenues of making, different ways of working and thinking,” Knott illustrated.
Art students are exposed to a wide variety of mediums, exploring acrylics, graphite and charcoal, clay, inks, and wood. “We try to ensure that our students walk away with a broad skill set and strong work ethic.”
“Often, our projects focus on learning and understanding a specific traditional skill alongside the development of conceptual thinking and personal expression,” Knott explains, “We have the students work abstractly and representationally, utilizing contemporary and art historical techniques and methods.”
Both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional art forms are a large focus for the department, however, Students have the opportunity to learn far more than just the fundamental art techniques taught in other basic art courses. Students are taught to craft far beyond the pencil and paper. These courses provide valuable life lessons that the instructors believe to be vital to all students.
“To pursue art seriously is to embrace work….it takes lots of time, sacrifice, and work to be successful as an artist,” Knott contributed, “one of the most important things our students ideally walk away with is an ability to truly see – see the world in all its complexities and absurdities, to move beyond mere generalization, daily ignorance, and really see.”
Curiosity, problem-solving, and determination are just a few of the values that Crowder’s Art instructors thrive to develop within their students. For those who may not wish to pursue a career in art, these skills can still be useful.
“There is a reason that medical students and criminal science students have begun to be required to take art classes,” Knott explained, “They also need to be able to see the world in a clear and unpolluted way. It is a skill that is sometimes hard to quantify cleanly, but it is imperative to success.”
Knott believes that art courses can be valuable in any context of a student’s personal life as well as their professional career.
“I mean that honestly.”
This idea is only solidified through the wide array of students enrolled in the different art classes on campus. “We learn to not generalize, in any way, to be more outside of the box, and to not be afraid of messing up,” continued Rogers, a Drawing 1 student this semester.
“His (Knott’s) teaching style is very motivational, yet chill. He challenged me,” the General Studies major added, “My favorite part would be working with different types of art supplies and styles.”
Knott is determined to push his students to the farthest limits of what they might believe they are capable of, while also encouraging them to trust themselves.
“Let me say that the idea that art is only for those that have already shown “artistic skill” or “natural talent” is nonsense in my opinion,” Knott affirmed. Where this common perception of art often discourages most students from embracing the subject, the instructors aim to break the divide.
“The things we teach can be learned by anyone willing to put in the work. I can teach anyone to draw as long as they are willing to put in the time and effort,” Knott assured, “and it would benefit them greatly in all areas of their life, whether they recognize it immediately or not.”
Art students have tremendous opportunities to expand their projects on campus and share their accomplishments throughout the community.
After four long years, Printmaking is the newest addition to the department’s course list. “the lab is now up and running and prints are getting made with a brand spanking new etching press.”
Josh Knott and Joshua Novak have been dedicated and determined to make substantial improvements to the department. “We are always upgrading our area – lots of grant writing and fundraising – and each semester we get a little closer to where we want to be.”
Instructor Josh Novak has reportedly made plans to acquire a spray booth for ceramics courses. The department is moving quickly in a direction that will encourage and uplift aspiring art students on campus. The new spray booth, for example, “will really open up new avenues for students to explore different ways to apply glaze and achieve really beautiful glaze effects,” Knott added.
Despite this growth, some major obstacles were faced during the COVID-19 pandemic this year, which ultimately forced Knott and Novak to close their studios to eager students. With the semester cut short, the instructors had to react quickly in order to stay on track.
“A major thing has been the upheaval Printmaking and Ceramics experienced due to the fact that the classes are entirely dependent on expensive tools, materials, and equipment. Things that cannot be taken home or purchased by the students,” Knott revealed.
Taking an entirely hands-on field and making the transition to online course work was an especially difficult task for the instructors.
“It has been difficult to adjust to interacting with students solely through digital means, often an issue that could be resolved within 5 minutes,” Knott explained. The department places a strong emphasis on feedback, practice, and communication. While using the resources available, some specific experiences offered in the studio were compromised. The instructors remain positive, however, that the best is yet to come for the Art Department and its many students.
“We have to perceive this as a problem that needs a creative solution. Artists are good at those.”
With another successful semester coming to an end, who is to say what is in store for the bright, dedicated faculty members who lie at the core of what makes Crowder’s Art Department so special. From an outside perspective, the work being done within the division to inspire and motivate students is without a doubt one of the many admirable features of the college. One detail is for certain, the road to Crowder College’s Fine Arts Department is clearly paved with dedicated instructors and determined students working together towards a common goal.
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