Education through Creation: Arts Classes Anyone Can Take

By Kaelin Viera

Students working in The Art and Math of Origami. Photo by Kaelin Viera.

A sea of colorful origami, a line of drums hit in synchronization, and a unicycle circling a gym are not typical of academic environments, but students are forgoing tradition this semester by earning credits creatively.

It is no secret that the Purchase population is filled with artists. Fortunately for some, unique courses allow students to fulfill general education requirements with subject matters that still align with their interests.

For example, do you hate math? Consider folding origami instead.

“As soon as I found out there was an origami class that counted as a math credit, I was like, ‘the other math is not for me,’” says senior playwriting and screenwriting major Daniel Griffith.

The Art of Math and Origami, which runs during both fall and spring semesters, is a four-credit course where students learn different origami folds. Designs might be practical, like a phone stand, or decorative, like a swan.

“Mondays and Thursdays I be so happy because then I get to show people what new things I made,” says Griffith, who calls the class his favorite.

However, some students may not be as lucky trying to grab one of just 15 seats for the course.

“During registration week, my class reaches the cap first,” says Professor Jeanine Meyer. “Not that I’m competitive, but I’m competitive.”

Meyer created the class in 2019 following a talk she gave about origami to students taking Number Theory. Since then, she has published two origami guidebooks with her former student and teaching assistant, Takashi Mukoda.

Mage Brito and Daniel Griffith showing off their origami creations. Photo by Kaelin Viera

Students in The Art and Math of Origami learn mostly by folding, not solving equations. The folds require specific angles, and students experiment with those angles to make different bases for pieces and create their own diagrams.

This subtle approach to key concepts is working. Mage Brito, a graphic design senior, says they feel like they are learning, and even seeks out extra time to work on designs with friends.

“We sometimes meet up and just sit for like an hour and fold and we just chat and its fun and it’s really relaxing,” says Brito.

In addition to math, students need an art credit to meet degree requirements. Some fulfill this through their major classes. For others, it means walking to the Music Building and drumming at 8:30 a.m. twice a week.

Christopher Graham teaching Hand Drumming. Photo by Kaelin Viera.

Christopher Graham is the co-program head of percussion studies and a former music student of Purchase. He teaches just one of the two separate sections of Hand Drumming, which is one-credit and open to students with any level of musical experience. Need an art credit but can’t draw? This might be the option for you.

Students sit in a line, synchronizing their drumbeats or improvising at the direction of Graham. He counts and gives notes while they play, so nearly the whole class period is filled with music.

“It just flows right,” says Hunter Baron, a junior in sociology. “I like how laid back the class is and how we’re all really just there to have fun and play some music.”

Occasionally, Graham breaks in between to give some context about the style of drumming they are exploring, but the loudest sound is the students as they pick up new rhythms, no experience required.

The physical education credit requirement may be the most intimidating, especially to those who didn’t excel at high school gym. Those students can opt for Circus Skills instead of the swim team.

Taught by Viveca Gardiner, the two-credit class in juggling, clowning, trapeze, and more challenges students with performance-based exercise. The final? A show full of circus acts for the kids in the on-campus daycare.

For Evan Marrinan, a senior psychology major, Circus Skills is a return home. His mom’s ability to juggle sparked his interest in the subject, and the “fun and chill environment” led him to come back as a teaching assistant.

The class is so successful that interested students can also partake in the club of the same name as a low-stakes option to try it out.

“It’s a lot of fun and a good way to meet people,” Marrinan says. “Everyone around you feels just as stupid as you do.”

The consensus of students in unique classes is to try new things. Whether it’s an easy A or a good time you are after, Purchase has plenty of options.