With support from professional development funding provided by Bolles, upper school English and Art History teacher Andrew Dickson traveled to San Mauro, Istria, Croatia, in June for a 10-day, one-on-one sculpture intensive through VAWAA.

Dickson pursued the opportunity to deepen his experience as a practicing artist and strengthen the expertise he brings to his Art History classes.

"When I started teaching Art History 10 years ago, I realized I needed some experience in art production in order to teach about technique and materials," Dickson said. “By taking sculpture classes at the Art League of Jacksonville in 2018, I discovered a knack for stone sculpture. When my art teacher retired, it seemed like a good idea to seek out the mentorship with a professional artist that VAWAA offered.”

Dickson studied with sculptor Gail Morris, who has worked in Croatia for 30 years, leading symposiums with contemporary artists and creating public works in Slovenia. During the intensive, Morris taught Dickson techniques using hand tools, pneumatic tools and power tools to create rough-hewn surface textures and excavate concave forms. Dickson spent the 10 days focused on a single piece, choosing a large stone and working steadily to complete what became the most ambitious sculpture of his career.

Dickson said access to Morris' expertise and studio equipment allowed him to achieve results that would not have been possible at home while also expanding his ability to imagine and create abstract forms in future work.

The experience will also benefit Bolles students. Because sculpture often receives less attention in Art History curricula, Dickson said his firsthand experience allows him to bring three-dimensional art to life in the classroom, using his own work to model concepts in different styles and demonstrate sculpture's unique relationship with light and space.

Dickson credited fellow Bolles faculty member Tiffany Gonzalez with introducing him to VAWAA after participating in a similar professional development experience in Croatia several years ago. #BollesArts