A.F.A. in Art major creates project for Interpersonal Communication course
Annabella Meyer, 21, is double-majoring at Inver Hills Community College, earning her Art Transfer Pathway Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.) and her Associate of Arts (A.A.). Annabella is on track to graduate from Inver Hills in 2021.
During spring semester 2020, Annabella worked on a project called Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Advocacy for an Interpersonal Communication course taught by Amy Zsohar, PhD, Communications Studies faculty at the college.
“Dr. Zsohar helped me spread awareness using a post on my Instagram feed,” Annabella said. “She suggested that I contact Rachel Marzahn, interactive media coordinator in the Inver Hills Marketing and Communications department. Rachel offered me helpful tips and also connected me to Inver Hills News to interview for this story.”
Rachel explained that social media is a great way to spread the word when advocating for a charity, philanthropic cause or relief fund.
“It’s a free tool with low-resource use and accessibility to everyone with an internet connection,” she said. “Social media tactics can help you reach people around the world. Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week has the hashtag #HHWeek.”
Annabella added that she used the internet and resources on available Minnesota homeless shelters for her project.
“I wanted to spread the word to anybody who needs assistance—especially in these unfortunate times,” she said. “I created the art for the project with my own tools at home.”
Faculty perspective: Amy Zsohar, PhD
Amy Zsohar reported that her Interpersonal Communication course focuses on exploring one-on-one communication.
“Through community-based learning projects, my students are challenged to immediately apply the skills we are discussing in class toward engaging with issues and populations,” Amy said. “This semester we are focusing on those experiencing food and housing insecurity during the pandemic.”
Amy noted that her students were tasked with advocating and amplifying the voices of those experiencing food and housing insecurity. Ordinarily, her students would volunteer with a local organization, but this semester they are approaching their projects in a variety of ways:
- Social media campaigns
- Letters to elected officials
- Petitions
- Letters to potential host home families
- Art installations
- Videos
- Phone calls
“My students are researching and creating specific asks,” Amy said. “They are learning the power they have to speak up and speak out. It is inspiring to see what they have created.”
Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week¹
Join the Movement to End Hunger and Homelessness • November 15–22, 2020
VOLUNTEER. DONATE. EDUCATE.
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is an annual program where people come together across the country to draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness. Participating groups spend the week holding a series of educational, service, fundraising, and advocacy events.
OUR SPONSORS
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness.
CONTACT US
For more information about the Week or tips on how to organize your event, CONTACT US HERE.
DONATE
Please support this event by MAKING A DONATION.
FOLLOW US
More about Annabella…
Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, Annabella graduated from Henry Sibley High School, Class of 2018. She works while going to Inver as a seasonal picker at Mayflower Distributing, a party supplies wholesaler.
She is transferring to a university to further her art studies after graduating from Inver Hills.
“I am still undecided on which school yet,” she said. “I plan to also major in either art history or just history along with my fine arts major. I’m looking forward to earning my B.F.A and possibly a master’s degree. I would like to be an illustrator and curator or conservator.”
Three words that describe you as a college student:
CREATIVE. EMPATHETIC. RESERVED.
Annabella’s family includes her parents and her grandmother, whom everyone calls, Bunica. Her little sister, Jade, 16, is a high school junior. Her family also has three cats, Frosty, Mickey and Patches, and a leopard gecko named Simon.
In her free time, Annabella really enjoys reading and creating art.
“I like to read fantasy, science fiction, thrillers and horror mostly, but I will read pretty much anything,” she said. “I like to make all kinds of different traditional illustrations, but I mostly like to make character designs and fantastical scenes. I am currently getting back into digital art as well.”
Annabella resides with her family in St. Paul.
Annabella Meyer art gallery
Art Transfer Pathway Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.) • 60 credits
The art instructors at Inver Hills are accomplished artists who are passionate about teaching. They exhibit their work both regionally and nationally, and are exceptionally knowledgeable in their fields of expertise.
Whether you are a novice sculptor or a future art historian, our instructors are dedicated to expanding your artistic world both creatively and professionally.
Art Transfer Pathway Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.) is the ideal pre-professional degree for you if you’re planning on transferring to a four-year program to pursue of a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.). The degree is also for you if you’re seeking to enter the art job market.
The Art Transfer Pathway offers your a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an A.F.A. with course credits that directly transfer to designated bachelor’s degree art programs at Minnesota State universities.² The curriculum has been specifically designed so that you can complete your pathway degree and transfer with junior-year status to a four-year school.³
“If you’re aiming to launch your career, earning an A.F.A. gives you the power and know-how to find your niche as a creative professional,” said Rob Kolomyski, Inver Hills Fine Arts chair and art faculty. “You also have the option take a few courses to discover your favorite artistic medium before continuing your studies for noncredit.”
More about the program…
The Art Transfer Pathway A.F.A. curriculum focuses on the following topics:
- Art History
- 2-Dimensional Design
- 3-Dimensional Design
- Introductory Studio Art
- Second-Year Studio Art
The program concludes with ART 2295: Portfolio Development. In this course, you will create your portfolio to earn your A.F.A. or prepare for transfer to a four-year institution in pursuit of your B.F.A. In addition to photographing your portfolio, you will build important, art-related business skills, including:
- Writing your art resume
- Preparing your artist statement
- Learning how to apply for and install exhibitions
Course Outline for ART 2295
Art courses at Inver Hills are offered in the following areas:
- Ceramics
- Digital Art
- Drawing
- Painting
- Glass
- Photography
- Sculpture
LEARN MORE…
Annabella Meyer • Q & A
What did you learn from your project about hunger and homelessness?
I learned a lot, but I think that the biggest takeaway was that hunger and homelessness exist everywhere, and that it can happen to anybody at any time—it doesn’t matter who you are.
Hunger and homelessness are not something to take lightly, and it is important to pay attention to it and help in any way you can. Every little bit counts.
What are some things people can do to help eliminate hunger and homelessness?
I think that paying close attention to your community and getting involved is a good start. Listening to the opinions and suggestions of people that are struggling I think would also help in our steps towards eliminating hunger and homelessness. Volunteering, donating, writing letters to elected officials, making petitions, overall spreading awareness and getting as many involved as possible will make a difference.
Three words that describe you as an artist:
BUSY. WHIMSICAL. PERFECTIONIST.
What are your plans during Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week?
I am planning on having my advocacy piece posted at the beginning of the week and hopefully to attend some of the events Inver Hills has to offer for hunger and homelessness.
What is the greatest challenge facing your generation?
I think that a big one is climate change. It is very close to being at the point of no return and it is affecting each and every one of us. The earth and its environment is our home and our only one. It is necessary to protect it and prevent all that is trying to destroy our planet. There is no planet B.
Where do you see yourself in 20 years?
I am hoping to be in the art field creating things for people as an illustrator and either collecting or restoring art. I would like to end up somewhere quiet with a family.
Annabella Meyer • 12 Answers
- Favorite sport or physical activity: Hockey
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Place you would most like to visit: Anywhere in Ireland
- The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: I traveled to Australia for three weeks with my family and my aunt’s family back in 2007 to visit other family members; it was an unforgettable experience, very beautiful and fun
- Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1)Help homebound people by getting them back on their feet 2) Help the environment by donating to environmental programs and to the sciences 3) Invest in finding a cure for cancer and make sure people can afford it
- Favorite TV show you’re watching now: Good Omens
- Best movie you’ve seen lately: Not a new one, but I recently watched Princess Mononoke for the first time and really enjoyed it
- One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Being able to live happily with a stable job and income
Your national bird if you were your own country: Northern cardinal
- Dream occupation: An illustrator and curator or art conservator!
- Person you would most like to meet: David Tennant
- Skill you would most like to learn and master: Cooking
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Humanity needs to work on acceptance toward everyone; no matter the culture, gender, sexual orientation, age, color, size, beliefs of the individual.
Learn more about Communication Studies at Inver Hills by contacting:
Shiloh Gideon-Sjostrom
Communication Studies Faculty
651-450-3658
Learn more about the A.F.A. in Art at Inver Hills by contacting:
Rob Kolomyski
Painting and Drawing Faculty
651-450-3256
