James Anthony Williams ’20 — From drawing with a fine tip of gold or silver to drawing with ink on a Bamboo pencil, my experiences abroad expanded my knowledge and confidence in Art. I never envisioned myself being an artist but with the overwhelming existences of art in the United Kingdom, I easily found a great appreciation for Art and the representational meaning being it. When I wasn’t seeing and embracing art from streets, museums, or vintage Cathedrals or castles, I would surely be making art in my rigorous, yet interesting art course at Harlaxton College. We made metal point drawings, pastel portraits, and studied and practiced many other art forms. My favorite and most interesting art that we studied would have to be our graphite drawing of our actual eye. Though it is one of our simpler drawings, it challenged me to be critical and observant of minor detail to help the overall drawing.
When traveling and experiencing art outside of class and at Harlaxton Manor, my favorite places that really impacted me were the Museum of Self-Playing Instruments in Brentford, United Kingdom and Lincoln Castle/Cathedral in Lincoln, United Kingdom. At the museum, I was astonished with the work, sounds and sight of these self-playing instruments. Beautiful in every way, these instruments took many months for these instruments to be made and many people from different trade working together to make them a true reality. Massive, breath-taking and meticulously made, Lincoln Cathedral and castle were a gem to see as they have stood strong and tall for decades. The sight inside of the cathedral is only compared to that of Canterbury Cathedral, which is one of the most prestigious buildings in the United Kingdom. Trimmed with the finest metals and marbles, Lincoln Castle and Cathedral was an honor to see touch and appreciate. After studying aboard, I have honestly gained a great respect and appreciation for Art as it tells an underlying story, touches each person differently and gives us the freedom to appreciate its message to us.
Again, I would like to thank the Givens family, scholarship committee, Amy Weir and Wabash College for their everlasting commitment to engage, support and sponsor Wabash Men. It is because of experiences and opportunities such as these that I chose Wabash and I am forever grateful for my decision to be a part of this honorable place we all call home.
