Creative Q&A Mat-Su College art professor Dr. Felicia Desimini

WASILLA — Mat-Su College art professor Dr. Felicia Desimini loves art and everything it stands for.

Desimini recently participated in a question and answer interview to discuss the value art plays in society, the joys and visceral depths of inspiration that occur between teachers and students, and the unifying power creativity has as a whole.

Q: How long have you been at the Mat-Su College?

“I started in 2012.”

Q: How’s it been over the years?

“It’s been fantastic. It’s been great. There’s so much art in the community here. A lot of students are just really engaged with it and excited about it and do really incredible things… When I first got here there was a sculpture that was done before I got here. It was one of our mascots, the Arctic Dragon and it sat on a pile of books and it was an amazing sculpture. I said, ‘well this is the place for me,” she said with a laugh. “I fell in love with the studio at the college. It’s a magical place… That’s where we do our alchemy and our magic.”

Q: How many classes do you usually teach?

“So, it would be between four and probably six classes typically.”

Q: What kinds of classes are you currently teaching?

“I’m doing a 3-D design class which is a gatekeeper for artists thinking about spatial orientation and it’s just an amazing process. That to me is the gatekeeper for anyone who really wants to pursue art… I’m teaching beginning drawing. I’m also teaching beginning and intermediate painting.

Q: What’s your background look like and how does it affect your approach as a teacher?

“I have a doctorate and my doctorate is art criticism and arts-based research, so I have a different kind of approach where it’s more about art theory and ‘how do we create the works?’ It’s a way for me to navigate what each student is individually trying to do and help them achieve their goals… How do I encourage my students to nurture not only their creativity but their dream of creating an image or some sort of artwork that the viewer will enjoy.”

Q: How long has art really been important to you?

“Since as long as I can remember. Since I was about three years old, I knew I was going to be an artist… I grew up in a very artistic family where art was embraced… It was a magical childhood. I’m very lucky. I’m really lucky because I grew up with these incredible people who naturally were gifted with art and creativity, but I’m adopted,” she said with a laugh. “So, I had to work at it. It did not come easy for me. So, if I can do it, anybody can do it. You just have to have the fire in the belly and the passion for it… I think sometimes you have to work at it to appreciate it. Anybody can have talent, but if you don’t have the drive, it’s just not going to happen.”

Q: In your experience, what role would you say art plays in our daily lives and the bigger picture?

“Well, art’s huge. We’re always encountering art no matter what we look at. Even if you look at nature, the beauty of nature is a divine art. It’s just amazing. When you look at interior design, when you look at furniture making or creating ergonomic chairs, it’s all about art. It’s all about having a vision and then bringing that vision to fruition. It’s like thinking out loud and making thinking visible. People call it a language, but it’s even more than that. It’s like the basic, fundamental thing. You put something in a child’s hands and they’ll start making marks. You play music for a toddler and they’ll dance and that’s without them ever seeing dance. So, art’s everywhere and it’s everything and it’s hugely important.”

Q: What are some of your favorite things about teaching art?

“The best part about art is it teaches you to stick with something. We make more mistakes and different outcomes happen. You just keep trying. You just keep working at it… That’s the lesson with pen and ink because you can’t change the line once the line is down on the paper or the surface. So, you have to work that line in so it makes sense… It helps me stay on my toes. I love brainstorming with students… and explore infinite possibilities... it’s almost like being a jazz musician where you’re just riffing and just improvising continuously. I mean, creativity is one of our greatest gifts and it’s amazing to help others tap into their creativity. That’s the best part… It keeps me fresh too.”

Q: So, the act of teaching itself serves dual purposes huh?

“Oh yeah. They teach me all the time, and it’s a wonderful thing. Art keeps ya humble,” she said with a laugh.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com