For Art Professor,
New York City Is an Invaluable Teaching Tool
Nearly 20 years ago, Professor of Fine Arts Paul Fabozzi arrived in
New York City to immerse himself in the center of the art world.
Today, he brings that world to his students, through a robust
curriculum that focuses heavily on professional experience.
“One of the things that I take seriously in my teaching is the
experiential learning component,” said Fabozzi, who hails from
upstate New York. “In the Department
of Fine Arts, we’re training our students not just how to see,
but how to understand what they’re seeing. Even if they’re just
going for a walk around New York, I want them to interact with the
world on a richer and more sophisticated level.”
Fabozzi started at St. John’s as an adjunct instructor and became a
full-time faculty member in 1998. Today, he works with students at
both ends of the curriculum, teaching freshmen and seniors. “With
freshmen, I get them early so I can shake the high school out of
them and teach them about the rigors of college life,” he said. “As
for seniors, I get to introduce them to the professional art
world.” The Thesis Seminar he teaches allows upperclassmen to
exhibit their work at the Dorsky
Gallery, an art gallery in nearby Long Island City.
The department’s small size is a huge benefit for students and
faculty alike, according to Fabozzi. About 130 students are
enrolled in the fine arts program, which is accredited by the National Association of
Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
“When I get my roster at the beginning of the year,” he said, “I
know I’m going to get to discover a lot about the 15 or 16
individuals in my class and their life experiences. It’s such a
dynamic environment to be in, because I’m learning as much as my
students.”
Eager to introduce all undergraduates to the wide array of art
museums around them, Fabozzi teaches Art in New York City, a course
for non-majors offered during the winter session and the pre- and
post-summer sessions.
“We travel to a different museum each day during a two-week
period,” he said. “There are very few cities in the world where you
can offer a course that is this rich. It’s an amazingly eye-opening
experience for all participants.”
Fabozzi also coordinates the department’s internship program, and
the feedback he gets from employers about student participation is
always positive. “They all comment that our students are
well-rounded and know how to speak up,” he said. “Unlike an art
school, St. John’s offers our students access to all these
different opportunities available at a university. A student who
really appreciates a broader liberal arts environment will get the
most out of being here.”
Introducing students to all the benefits of a St. John’s education
is, Fabozzi added, a commitment he shares with his fellow faculty.
“We have such an incredible staff of highly-trained people here,”
he said. “They all have great careers outside of St. John’s as
photographers, illustrators, fine artists, designers, and
historians. They are all practicing professionals with a lot of
connections in different fields—and they are eager to use those
connections to help students.”