Nell Ruby
Professional Development Grant
REPORT on Summer 2024 spending
12/11/24

Funding from the professional development grant allowed me to complete a week long drawing workshop at the Fine Arts Workshop in Provincetown, RI. (https://fawc.org/) I attended a class taught by artist Paul Stopworth, a south African born artist, and former professor at Yale. Stopworth is at the end of his career, and in fact shared with us that this was the last class he would teach. I am fortunate to have been a member of this cohort. The funding not only afforded me a week of intensive studio time, but it also reminded me of the excitement of being in a studio with colleagues who share my values and work ethic. It was refreshing socially and artistically. The work I made was meaningful for me, and the relationships I forged with the instructor and my fellow students are now a cemented network. Professor

Stopworth also demonstrated some marvelous teaching techniques that I am eager to use in my next drawing class. Most importantly, he helped me remember the reason for making work—the connection to my own markmaking. I’m including examples of the work I made. The funds were used for tuition for the workshop, accommodations for the week, food, and travel (flight to Boston and car rental).

I’m grateful for the opportunity to remember my passion for making work, and the rekindling of my curiosity. It was a thrill to spend time with knowledgeable and skilled artists and to reaffirm the quality of my artwork and my value as a community member. This workshop provided professional recognition for me, and a sense of my value as an artist beyond teaching. Besides getting some good work from the week, and being reminded why I’m in the profession, the new relationships I created and the respect I earned was a morale booster for me.