University of West Georgia students from the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) are gaining valuable insights through Brandy Barker’s Art as Business course.
Having the unique opportunity to work with real clients, students like Kitt Day and Eva Inostroza created murals for Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corp. in Newnan, Georgia—exposing them to hands-on project development and collaboration. These students, among many others, are enhancing their knowledge of art as business through experiential learning.
“I realized there was a gap between arts education and business,” said Barker, who also serves as UWG’s chief creative officer and assistant vice president for university advancement. “I wanted to help students understand what projects look like from inception all the way to completion.”
Throughout the course, students are challenged to blend artistry with real-world application via client meetings, proposals and presentations. They have the opportunity to transform their creative ideas into paid projects, preparing them for future careers. This experience helps ease students into professional environments where deadlines and accountability are expected.
“In a typical classroom, professors can push deadlines as needed,” said Day. “But when working with real clients, if you miss a deadline, you can’t make it up.”
In addition, students develop skills such as client communication, software proficiency, problem solving, effective marketing strategies, time-sensitivity and flexibility.
“Classes like these give you so much confidence,” said Reese Scott, a student in Barker’s class. “When you have public art out there, it feels like nothing can stop you.”
Striving to make an impact and show their commitment to the UWG community, Barker’s students have showcased their talents through murals in the West Commons dining hall.
“As creative people, we see different environments and want to make them better with art,” said Inostroza. “Public pieces like these bring people together and play a crucial role in building meaningful relationships.”
Barker’s students encourage other artists to get out of their comfort zones, follow their passions, view challenges as opportunities for growth and be artistically well-rounded.
“Never limit yourself artistically,” said student Chris Godley. “Don’t ever label yourself as having one skill.”
For more information about CHASS and UWG’s art program, visit its website.
