The Purdy and the Pandemic: Creativity Among Uncertainty
This article is dedicated to all the faculty, staff, and students of Mount Allison University who made the 2020–2021 academic year possible.
With COVID-19 safety measures quickly put in place, the Mount Allison University campus changed to meet the demands of both students and New Brunswick Public Health. The Purdy Crawford Centre for the Arts, home to the Pierre Lassonde School of Fine Arts, was one of a multitude of resources on campus that transformed to provide a safe environment for faculty and students. During the pandemic, the PCCA, known to students simply as “the Purdy,” was off limits to non-students, with limited access to accommodate physical distancing and new public health measures, including directional signage and sign-in forms. Studio spaces were reduced in number and spilt classes were offered. Students were also required to book time for studio work in specific spaces, such as the darkrooms, the digital media lab, sculpture workshops, the painting studio, and printmaking stations. Most importantly, there were the masks. Everywhere in the Purdy were masks. Despite the restrictions and drastic changes to the building’s routines, the professors and students didn’t let the pandemic restrict their passion, inspiration, and creativity.
To get the student perspective on this exceptional year, I interviewed three students about their experiences. While they are all different artists, faced with their own challenges, they agree it was worth returning to university during the pandemic.
Ranz Jaren Bontogon is a Bachelor of Fine Arts student who plans to return for his second year to study drawing, printmaking, and photography. As a first-year student, he found it most difficult to plan and keep on top of his schedule, which was frequently affected by COVID-19 regulations. Bontogon was happy with the quality of his classes. In his words, “The professors are passionate. I definitely learned a lot and my work has changed and developed.” He’s optimistic and excited for second year, especially for photography, which he feels is his calling.
Makenna Harnish is a Bachelor of Arts graduate who majored in Fine Arts and History and whose work focuses on drawing and sculpture. After graduating, they will continue their studies at StFX University, where they are doing a Master’s in Education. Harnish’s fourth year was a time of rediscovery, although navigating the last semester was understandably frustrating. Throughout the pandemic, they became more comfortable with their work and came to realize its inherent validity. Because of the way the semester ended in 2020, they didn’t have work that they could expand upon. Harnish notes, “This year was about continuation and navigating a path. COVID pushed me to work and expand my horizon.” As for the future, they admit it’s nerve-wracking and the path is unknown, but this is a new chapter for everyone during the pandemic. Harnish offers the following advice to students still at the Purdy: “Your work deserves to be in any gallery. It’s not only your work and what you do; it’s a combination of everything you’ve done.”
Wren Hibberd is a Bachelor of Fine Arts graduate who works in drawing, photography, and sculpture. After graduation, Hibberd plans to find a career while developing their art practice. During Hibberd’s fourth year, there were definitely changes in expectations. Compared to previous years, the fourth-year studio was increasingly isolated, with everyone keeping a good distance from each other. Hibberd agrees that scheduling time and work stations in advance was one of the most challenging aspects of the year. However, they admit, not everything was bad: “I became prouder of the work I produced. I loved to be more of an independent artist and create the projects; figuring out the projects and exploring what you’re doing to create a practice.” Hibberd has mixed feelings, about their future. They are both excited and terrified to leave the structure that the Purdy and the faculty provided, including the critiques, professors and other reinforcements. But Hibberd has balanced emotions — they realize it’s not goodbye, but moving forward. Their advice for present and future students: “The professors are intimidating… but they are caring. Use what you can and take advantage of the opportunities you are given.”
The Purdy has always been a space where students are able to bring their artistic ideas to life. Although the pandemic closed doors and forced classes to adapt to Public Health measures, it did not stop emerging artists from exploring and exceeding expectations. Although the future is unpredictable, the Pierre Lassonde School of Fine Arts will continue to foster a new generation of artists. Even in times of uncertainty, the dedication of the Fine Arts students and faculty is phenomenal. Clearly their creativity cannot be limited — not even by a pandemic.
— Shivanya Albas, 2021
