Teaching Artist Joshua Ford (Photo Credit: Greyson Galeotti)
For the last several years, Alma Wright, EngAGE Program Director at The Magnolia at 9th Senior Apartments in San Bernardino, CA, has nurtured a relationship with Cal State University, San Bernardino. She was initially contacted by Annie Buckley, a Professor of Visual Studies, who offered to provide teaching artists to work with residents. Annie is also the founder of the CSUSB Community-Based Art program and the Prison Arts Collective, a community outreach program bringing art to the prisoners in the area.
Alma adds, “Whenever Annie has any students willing to come teach us, she meets with them weekly to guide them thru the lessons. I also provide her with detailed feedback whenever her students are on site, and make sure she knows how grateful we are for her program.”
JOSHUA FORD is one of the students who volunteered to teach for EngAGE. Alma continues, “Joshua Ford is a very talented artist. He began teaching drawing and painting classes at The Magnolia @ 9th on Tuesdays and Thursdays in October. He had about 5 to 7 students who liked him very much. He told me they had been producing a lot of pieces. This was a big deal because the residents at The Magnolia @ 9th love their craft classes, but had always been reluctant to take art classes. One of his students even won the annual WSH Management Holiday Card Contest with the entry of a painting she did in his class.”
In December, Alma was excited to put together a show for the class participants called Art Splash, in which they exhibited their drawings and paintings.
Here are some examples of Joshua’s work. SCROLL DOWN to read his answers to questions provided by Amie A. Mack, EngAGE Regional Arts Director, about his art and his teaching experience.
Self portrait pencil 2014
Sensus Plenior – oil on canvas panel
Frank Sinatra-Colored Pencils 2014-2015
Christina Garzanich-Digital Photo 2018
Cadillac-graphite pencils 2015
How did you come to be a volunteer art teacher for EngAGE?
I became a volunteer art teacher for EngAGE through my internship with the Community Based Art Program at Cal State University, San Bernardino.
What was your college degree and when did you graduate?
I graduated in December 2018 with a B.A. in Visual Studies with an emphasis in Art Education.
What was your experience like teaching older adults?
I found it to be very entertaining and heartwarming to teach older adults. They have so much wisdom and I learned a lot from my students. I didn’t find any unusual challenges, however I felt that I was able to influence my students in a positive way. I was told multiple times that my art class helped them to keep their minds off troubling things in their lives (surgeries, etc.)
What advice do you have for younger people who want to do creative professional or volunteer work with older adults?
My advice would be to listen to them and talk with them. It was great to just experience it. I loved hearing their stories and advice. This personal connection with your students can help you to gain insight on their work and what influences and helps them in their lives.
You have studied and worked in different mediums. What are they and do you prefer one over the other? Why?
I prefer painting and drawing, but also enjoy photography. I feel that painting and drawing are very therapeutic and help me to relax. I love painting, drawing, and photography because I’m able to capture my view of life and how I see the world. I’m able to communicate to the world through my own artistic expression.
Name three artists who have inspired you and tell us why. If you could ask one of them a question, what would that question be?
Three artists that have inspired me are Rembrandt, Salvador Dali, and Norman Rockwell. If I could ask Rembrandt a question, I would ask him, “What inspired you?”
What are your plans, hopes, dreams, for your artistic future?
Currently, I am trying to transition into a new teaching job through the Community-Based Art Program with the Prison Arts Collective. I am hoping to inspire inmate participants and gain more teaching experience. From there, I hope to obtain my single subject teaching credentials for art, and then go on to get my MFA.
Tell us about a favorite artwork you created.
My favorite piece of art (though it is hard to choose just ONE) would probably have to be an 8” x 10” oil painting on a canvas panel titled, Sensus Plenior. [“Sensus plenior” is a Latin term which means, literally, “fuller sense,” or “deeper meaning.”] I don’t really know why, but I’ve always had a fascination with painting and drawing skulls, and sometimes other parts of the human anatomy.
Name three things that evoke your creative spirit.
Three things that evoke my creative spirit would have to be a nice cup of coffee early in the morning on a cold day.
Thank you, Joshua! Your volunteer work makes a difference in the lives of our residents.
Magnolia at 9th Senior Apartments is a Meta Housing community.
