The Adrian College Art and Design Club and Professional Organization of Design (POD) took 17 students on a combined trip to Chicago, Illinois. The trip, which took place from Nov. 7 to Nov. 9, featured many different sights. One highlight was exploring the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the oldest and largest museums in the United States. Students also had graduate school tours at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and Alder University. The E-Boards of Art and Design Club and POD collaborated to plan the trip itinerary. 

After COVID-19 stopped the traditional department trip, Travis Erxleben, Chair of the Department of Art and Design, prioritized reintroducing meaningful experiences and showing the possibilities available to students in a city like Chicago. Enthusiasm from students and faculty helped to get the trip back on the calendar. With a trip full of astonishing museums and many other opportunities to learn about art Professor Erxleben stated, “These experiences provide real-world context for what we discuss in the classroom and help students visualize how they can apply their skills after graduation.”

The Art Institute of Chicago showcased many famous works including The Great Wave by Hokusai, Self Portrait by Vincent Van Gogh, and Water Lillies by Claude Monet. SAIC showed students what is available to them as a graduate student with a school that doesn’t have students declare a major, but instead has students work towards their degree by taking classes they are interested in. With a trip full of learning opportunities and experiences, Ellen Zentera, President of the Art and Design Club stated, “I wanted members to realize that they can accomplish whatever they put their mind to. The starving artist stereotype often frightens people from pursuing what truly makes them happy.”

The Adrian College Art and Design Club is a student-led club that allows students to engage in art and design outside of the classroom, with the club hosting workshops, organizing trips, and participating in community events. Professional Organization for Design is another student-led club at Adrian that serves students studying Interior, Graphic, and Web Design. A similar trip will happen again next year, taking art students to Chicago to see museums and experience educational opportunities with a slightly different, and possibly more exciting itinerary.