Faculty Focus Friday is a Q&A series that highlights individual faculty members in various academic programs around Spalding University. This week’s featured faculty member is Aaron Lubrick, associate professor of creative arts, School of Liberal Arts.
Why did you decide to teach at Spalding? What do you like about Spalding in particular?
I really like being at Spalding University because our students are people who strive for their passions. They are folks who really want to make our world a better place through their interests, compassion, and hard work.
What is your academic specialty, areas of expertise, or research?
I am an artist/painter. Mostly, I paint landscapes.
Why is a liberal arts degree program a good option for students to consider?
As I see it, liberal arts is everything! It’s history, it’s literature, it’s human rights. It’s what makes us human beings. The liberal arts is the cross-section that holds all our departments and programs together here at Spalding University. It’s imperative for a well-rounded, meaningful education.
What major lessons do you hope students take from this program to implement in their personal and professional lives?
As an art teacher, I would really like our students to understand that having differences and being different is a good thing.
I would like folks to know that their personal expression and the marks they make contribute to our world in profound ways.
I always say when I’m teaching drawing and painting, “The space around the objects you are drawing or painting is just as important as the object you are trying to depict. Realizing this exemplifies how all things are intertwined and connected.”
I heard you have an upcoming gallery displaying your art. Can you give a little background? What is its connection to the community, and what’s the connection mean to you?
I am really excited about this exhibition because it is taking place at the Metro Arts Community Center here in Louisville. Much of the work that will be displayed was made during my spring 2024 sabbatical. My sabbatical work was all about painting at parks in Louisville and connecting with everyday folks who often don’t have the chance to be around artists or painters. This exhibit is not only about looking at paintings -it’s about engaging with our community and discussing the roles art plays in our lives.
What is an interesting thing you keep in your office?
As you can imagine, I have paintings in my office! Most of the paintings in my office are from very talented artist friends of mine. They welcome me every day I am on campus!
Spalding’s mission is to meet the needs of the times, to emphasize service and to promote peace and justice. How will your teaching style, your research, your class, or your curriculum support the mission of Spalding?
Art is so much about empathy and viewing someone else’s perspective. Every person creates a different drawing or painting, even though sometimes they reference the same subject matter. I love seeing so many possibilities and letting our students understand how important it is to surround themselves with differences. By respecting and being open to everyone’s point of view, we open ourselves up to boundless possibilities.
I am very lucky to teach here at Spalding. I am able to share my love and appreciation for art. Art is so many things! It leads me down so many avenues of conversation with students. We can talk about why a specific color can be meaningful or discuss art that is all about human rights. Really, I feel like my classes are all about empowerment and championing our students. We are faced with so many obstacles in our daily lives – being able to help a student learn how to make a very successful drawing or painting when they had no idea they were capable of it builds so much pride and confidence that translates throughout their lives.