Ox Megan Sept 2017
OS15

Megan Broughton

09/22/17

Megan Broughton spent time in Spain this summer and taught a workshop at Institut Voltrera in Abrera, Barcelona using non-visual observation to create visual and aural compositions. It relates to her own work of considering the influence landscape has on music and art, and the resulting culture (art, historical, community).

"The day began with a short presentation of my work, followed by a discussion on graphic scores, alternate modes of observation, and some wonderful sharing of the students' own previous work including a student's poem transposed into morse code. Afterward, students led each other on blindfolded immersive walks of the school campus, guiding each other to explore and interact with their surroundings via touch and listening. Afterward, each student received materials to create a drawn interpretation of their immersive walk. These were specifically meant to take the form of a graphic score; since they had been blindfolded, students had to use alternate modes of recording such as marking their paths with the sounds they heard or made. Each graphic score, though depicting the same place, was unique in its execution - each truly showed an individual experience and highlighted different aspects of the school building and yard."

Megan is Oxbow's Residential Life Advisor. cargocollective.com/meganbroughton

Advice I would give to future students is to just do it and come to Oxbow and not overthink it because it will most likely (99.9%) be the best decision you have made in your life.

— Malachi Snyder, Spring 2018

The art that goes on in most high schools is usually relatively skill-based. At Oxbow, there is more emphasis on looking and seeing and more critical thinking about what you are doing, the human connection, that personal element. Through art you can begin to understand yourself better. That may be the biggest eye-opener for students. It is almost a preview of college. Get out of the mechanical factory high school education and get into something open, new, and invigorating in a small environment.

— Bill Barrett, Former Oxbow Board Member, Former Executive Director of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design (AICAD)

Artistically, I learned a lot of new techniques and mediums while here. I had access to much more than before and I made the most of it. I tried everything I could and always talked to my teachers and peers about new ways I could make art. Every so often, I completely stepped out of my comfort zone. Experimenting with technique and testing my artistic boundaries has helped me realize how many paths I have to choose from in the art world and that makes me excited for the future.

— Macy Manning, Fall 2023

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