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Freeing the Artist Inside: An Interview with France-Marie Haeger
By: Jacqueline Carr
Release Date: 04/28/06
Freeing the Artist Inside:
An Interview with France-Marie Haeger
Inside everyone there's an artist, tapping their foot, impatiently waiting to be discovered. Coaxing this individual out is a talent of France-Marie Haeger, lead instructor for the Art and the Creative Process certificate program at UCSD Extension.
"Everyone is creative in some aspect of their lives. It may show itself in a career or relationship--even cooking or flower arranging," says Haeger. "This program teaches students how to channel ideas and energy in a visual and exciting way."
Participants in the Creative Process classes explore a wide range of art mediums including drawing, pastels, music, paint, collage and three-dimensional projects. Early classes expose the students to a variety of materials to help identify potential strengths. "Everyone masters a technique and finds a favorite medium," says Haeger, an instructor since 1986. "These skills are applied later in the class series where the goal is to create a unique, personal statement that comes from within," she explains.
Students entering Haeger's classes will not encounter any art on the walls. There are no bowls of fruit to sketch, or models to draw. The class experience is based on translating broad themes into original art. "On my first day of class, I didn't know what to expect. Within minutes, France-Marie had us laughing," says Bob Collie, Extension student. "I couldn't wait to see what would happen next," he adds.
Class projects have included curious titles such as "This is Not a Painting," "Lifeline: Cows in a Row," and "The Book Project." Consider the last exercise. Students were asked to describe the process of transforming a book into a piece of artwork. Results varied from a functional Zen garden to a lonesome sheep. One student, a librarian, found it impossible to modify the book. Though her book remained in its original form, her ability to reveal to the class her struggle, and how she had changed as a result, was considered a success.
Haeger emphasizes the concept that artwork is more than the final product. "What's important is the thinking and activity that takes place leading up to artwork. Be as off the wall as you want, just keep the furniture intact," smiles Haeger.
Television sets, shoes, mannequins, mirrors, vacuum cleaners, and bathroom scales have all been used in Haeger's projects. Keep in mind that none of the objects were required materials. "The tools and materials are limited only by the imagination of the artist. Seeing how the students interpret the assignments differently is one of the joys of the class," says Haeger.
Students represent a mix of men and women ranging in age from 25-65 although some of the students have been in their teens and eighties. Projects have focused on the white tigers of India, price fixing of milk, pollution, women's rights in Iran, and the Vietnam war. Students walk away with a broader global perspective and increased respect for the world's diversity.
"With France-Marie's encouragement, we felt free to open up about our lives and our ideas which created a closeness and camaraderie," says Collie. "France-Marie is everything you'd want an art teacher to be. Plus she has a charming French accent," says Collie with a smile.
Haeger is proud of all her student's accomplishments. "Everyone finds a way to express ideas, develop techniques, and enrich their visual vocabulary through rewarding projects," says Haeger. "I promise, you'll surprise yourself."
Classes for the Art and the Creative Process certificate program are offered throughout the year.
