Art - Student Profile - Isaac Shue

Isaac Shue
Freshman, Art/Architecture
Harper, Kan.

What drew you to Hesston College?
My father and my two older brothers all graduated from Hesston College. From their experiences at Hesston, I knew it was a place to further my faith in Christ, while getting an education. I was not sure when I started college what I wanted to do, but I loved art and wanted my career to have something to do with it. Even though I knew I was coming to Hesston, I heard they had an art department that would further my skills and prepare me for a bigger institution. These two things excited me about Hesston College and had a major effect on my choice.

What attracts you to art?
With art I can put my emotions and feelings onto a piece of canvas with color, or into a pot on the wheel. There are so many different styles of art and there is always something new to explore. Also, with art I can do my own thing on my own schedule. In other jobs, such as in an office, there are specific times to work, and specific things to do. With art, I can make what I want, and make my mistakes into masterpieces. Art also interests me in all the different styles. No two people have the exact same thing going on in art, which is so amazing. Everything is original in the art world in its own way.

Have you found the academics in the art program challenging?
Yes, I have been challenged in my art courses. The teachers are very interested in your skills and what you have to offer to the art world. There have been numerous times that I thought my piece was done, yet Lois pointed things out that did not work. I would get frustrated about the piece never getting finished, and I thought she was expecting to much out of me. This especially happened after my first painting that I thought looked really good. Lois pretty much told me it was horrible, and she "invited" me to redo the piece. This was hard to accept at first, however, in the end, I found that it paid off to listen to what she had to say. Also, I felt that we were required to do assignments that got me out of my comfort zone, which eventually developed me into a stronger artist with more knowledge about it.

What is your favorite art course? Why is it your favorite?
My favorite art class that I took my first year at Hesston College was painting class because it challenged me the most as an artist. I learned many more things in the class than I anticipated at the beginning of the course. Also, the class was one of my smaller ones which allowed more one-on-one time with the teacher so she could help me with things I did not understand. The low teacher-student ratio at Hesston College is a great thing that is not found at many colleges.

Did you find opportunities for learning experiences outside the classroom?
I have found myself noticing artwork all over campus and in daily activities since studying in the art department this year. It is fun to notice the different types and styles of art, and relate them to the classroom and different assignments we have done.

What are the professors like in the classroom?
The profs in the art department are great people with excellent skills who care about more than just the classroom. They care about how life is going as well as how I'm doing in my other classes. I feel honored to have studied with Lois Misegadis and Brittni Wegmann this year, and I look forward to working with Brittni next year. I was disappointed to hear that Lois will be on sabbatical, but I am glad she is doing what she has wanted to do for quite some time and I know that it will make her that much better of a teacher. I feel comfortable taking advice from either of these profs while working on a piece of art, because I know that they know what is best for a piece of art.

What are some of your most memorable moments as a student at Hesston?
The main thing that I will remember about Hesston College is all the great people I have met who I know I would never have met if I had not attended this institution. I feel so much closer to these people I have known for about eight months than I do with anyone back home. I feel that I can share personal things with almost anyone on campus and they will listen and care about the things in my life. I do not think this is an experience that a person could get at any other college. Other things I will remember are all the pranks done, the late night runs to get food, choir tour, tennis trips, and mainly just hanging out with friends at all times of the day.

What are your plans for after Hesston?
I have not really made plans yet for after Hesston, but I have a few things in mind. I would like to go to Africa and do missions with Mennonite Central Committee, maybe in their SALT program. I also have considered going to Goshen College and finishing out an art major there. With this, I would like to teach art at the high school or college level or go on and get a degree in architecture.