unofficial, unedited

EVALUATIONS

GRACE NAIFY // SCAD STUDY ABROAD, LACOSTE, FR // 2022

 Professor Lea instructed me at the SCAD Lacoste study abroad program during the summer of 2022. Becausethis was a summer class and most of us students were unaccustomed to studying during this time, it was up to Lea to keep us engaged as well as incorporate the magnificent and culture-rich environment that is Lacoste. While Lacoste was a stunning locale and had much to offer, many students faced a struggle of adaptation. Limited, not to mention different materials, a small studio space, and a completely different lifestyle for eighty days straight is no small feat for a student artist. This was a unique challenge that Lea helped us to tackle with grit and grace, leading to a body of work that I am still proud of as I reflect on this experience as a post-grad.

For my work, I was taken with the natural environment of Lacoste: the new flora and rolling hills offered a stark contrast to syncopated marshes of Savannah’s low country. Professor Lea guided me to further explore this interest by diving deep into the ways I interact with the world and to incorporate these aspects into my work. Lea shared her knowledge of Hawaiian culture with me when I mentioned my heritage and my interest in dancing hula, and she pushed me to blend the two ways of expression – dance, and painting – into my first ever performance piece. My final body of work included a series of accordion sketchbooks and watercolor paintings, all arranged on the floor of our studio space where I stood barefoot and chanted in ancient Hawaiian to open the environment to viewers. Chanting was a major breakthrough for me as I discovered a new part of my work, and Lea’s openness in the classroom allowed for a type of vulnerability that I’ve yet to experience again. This was an incredibly moving experience, and I could not have created such multifaceted work without Lea’s nuanced understanding of my work despite our brief time together in the classroom. Professor Lea helps students reach their own conclusions by asking important questions and sharing her own observations from personal and professional experience. Post-grad, I am continually faced with challenges to adapt my practice to fit wherever I go, and I often pull from this formative quarter where Lea taught me to consider all aspects of my life, and how they relate to my studio practice; a skill that changed my perception of “the studio” from place to mindset, a lesson that still proves invaluable.”

ALLIE DETTMAN // SCAD, SAVANNAH, GA // 2022

“Professor Lea’s classroom environment makes all students want to continue to learn from her teaching methods. With her passion, drive, and dedication to teaching, Professor Lea is equally engaging as a professor and a master at teaching material effectively. Because of the organization and energy she brings to every class, I feel confident in learning new techniques. While art practices are often difficult to explain, Professor Lea goes above and beyond to make new skills and techniques obtainable and achievable. With her engaging demos and hands-on approach, it is apparent that Professor Lea’s passion, drive, and dedication are what make her such a successful professor. Lea's syllabus is cohesive but gives students the freedom to explore creatively within project briefs. I commend her ability to combine both course structure and creative freedom. I am always inspired by how Professor Lea provides me with thoughtful yet constructive feedback in a timely manner. She creates a classroom of open communication where all expectations are clearly presented. By demonstrating compassion and empathy towards me and all other students, Professor Lea creates a supportive environment in her classroom where learning and growth can flourish. “  

FEMKE SCHOONMAN // SCAD STUDY ABROAD, LACOSTE, FR // 2022

“Liz Lea was a huge influence for me, helping not only to structure my work throughout the quarter in which she was a TA, but offering feedback and assistance to me whenever I needed extra support. The work I made during this class felt very new to me, something which intimidated me. With the support Liz offered me, I was able to feel secure in what I was making. Through her wide range of questions and personal interest, she offered feedback on my work which helped me identify how I could achieve what I was trying to. I felt that Liz was very open about her own practice and goals, helping us structure our own goals within our individual journeys. Liz offered a wide range of knowledge on the contemporary art world, which helped her give me many research recommendations to form a better understanding of my own practice. Overall, Liz lea was an extremely good role model and TA, guiding us through the quarter, and supporting our goals and work. I think my body of work improved a lotduring this quarter and I felt a lot more secure in my abilities.”

ELI MARS // SCAD STUDY ABROAD, LACOSTE, FR // 2022

“I had the pleasure of having Liz Lea as a mentor during a summer study abroad program in Lacoste, Francein 2022.

During this time, Lea exposed me to an intense and passionate art-making process that translates personal experiences and self-perseverance into a method of materiality and exploration. I watched her take contorted papers, splashes of color, mangled cherries, and transform them into twisting compositions. A clear line could bedrawn between her painted canvases to these amalgamations of heart.

 She has taught me to not be afraid of ambitious ideas, how to express one’s voice and energy in a body of work, and how to explore the definition of “painting” and “material” with limited resources.

 I introduced some of her processes into my own practice, that involved reflection, introspection and surveying the world that surrounded me. I created two bodies of work, Somewhere and Mutations, which allowed me to explore materiality, abstraction, collage, and composition.”

MEREDITH LIU // SCAD STUDY ABROAD, LACOSTE, FR // 2022

“Liz has been one of the most influential mentors during my studies at SCAD. Not only does she provide excellent critical feedback for my creative practices, but she also provides consistent mentorship inside and outside an academic setting for me. During our time in Lacoste, Liz encouraged me to think more deeply about the art I was generating and push the boundaries of media and composition as well. I would recommend Liz as a teacher, mentor, and leader to anyone looking for an artist with wisdom, passion, and heart.” 

LAURA DUNBAR // SCAD STUDY ABROAD, LACOSTE, FR // 2022

“During the summer of 2022 I had the pleasure of working with Liz Lea in Lacoste, France. At this time, I was experiencing a shift in my studio practice that was driven by a major life event. The first time I worked with Liz in the studio I noticed her quiet steadiness and openness to discuss her own story and work. This helped to cultivate a space for myself and others to do the same. Her questions often prompted us to dig a little deeper into our practice to unveil answers we did not know we were looking for. For myself, this was important because Laura the artist and Laura the person began to feel intertwined instead of separate. Liz demonstrates the strength and confidence that comes through when someone allows their artist and person to illuminate each other.”

EMMA CHUMLEY // SCAD STUDY ABROAD, LACOSTE, FR // 2022

“Liz was instrumental in the developments that I made in my painting process during my summer abroad. Throughdemonstrating her own creative process and encouraging my peers and I to incorporate unique materials and techniques intoour own, she created a space in which I felt comfortable to experiment and breathe some new life into my work. Her guidance gently pushed me to create work in unexpected ways, providing me with many new ideas about use of mediums and uncommon materials that are reflected in my process still.”