Students Letters
I first met Professor Guy in January of this year as a student who didn’t have any significant interest or the ability in art and drawing whatsoever. My mind frame was like any typical non art major student going into their electives: “The faster I get this out the way the sooner I can start taking other classes that align with my major.” Look at me now; in Drawing I (which I added on top of an already full-time student schedule) to maintain a void that had no intentions in creating.
Before taking his class, interaction with teachers and other students were preordained. Guy’s radiant and captivating personality and approach had other plans and caught me off guard from day one! I remember the first day of Intro to Art - Guy standing in front of his door, greeting every student before they even came into class by asking them “what they go by” in lieu of “what’s their name.” I go by my first name at work and in ALL my other classes, but his highlighted and sincere mannerism took away my systematic response and led me to reply by what only friends and family call me. Small gestures like that go a long way and set a positive foundation from which that point on, I knew his class would be one for the books and totally shook up my mind frame and made me wholeheartedly and mindfully absorb everything he taught.
Guy’s curriculum taught me so much in not only art, but oddly about expression. Which I am extremely grateful for! I’ve benefited from this by being able to reveal a more authentic version of myself in every aspect of my life, but most importantly in being a father. I am fortunate to come across a teacher like Guy and I selfishly hope he still is in the area when my daughter comes of age so she can firsthand experience what I’ve mimical taught her from Guy. Guy is one of those “once in every blue moon” teachers that leaves stains on your memories and he truly deserves what is in stored for him. From the pit of my heart: Thank you Guy…For Everything.
-Christopher “Drake” M.
When I enrolled in Guy’s Drawing class, I expected to learn about different drawing techniques. I expected to find my own artistic voice, and I expected to utilize my creativity. However, upon completion of his course, I realized how much more had been gained beyond those expectations.
Even from the first interaction with him, I could tell that his class would stand alone. Unlike other curricula, his approach to our classwork involved a large amount of liberty for the students to combine their personality, passions, and feelings into their pieces. This freedom did not negate the possibility for level grading, however. Throughout our individual projects, Guy would take time to listen to our thoughts before constructively criticizing our ideas as well as their executions.
Speaking for my entire class, as students, we felt very comfortable openly discussing our opinions and understandings of the subject matter. Due to Guy’s efforts to cultivate a welcoming classroom environment, we all were able to open up to the extent of growing as individuals in all aspects of our lives. We felt like a part of a community, and I believe that the progression of my own drawing skills is directly related to that sense of belonging.
Before his class, I was caught in a self-deprecating spiral of thought with a lack of motivation or aspiration for my future. But thanks to him, I have learned to appreciate myself and my work. I’ve learned the value of my perspective as much as I’ve become open to the point of view of others.
Guy was able to interpret our artwork as if it was an extension of ourselves. In doing so, many of us were able to learn about ourselves through our artwork. We felt heard. We were given space to try, fail, and eventually succeed in our own ways, without feeling unguided. In a sense, his class had a deep positive impact on my college experience as well as my life’s trajectory. And for those reasons alone, I think Guy is an outstanding teacher, mentor, role model, and friend.
-Liam L.
This is my second year at the college. During my first year, I was required to take art as a prereq class, so I took it. When I attended class, automatically I was taken back a bit. Out of my entire years of attending school, I don’t think I ever came across a teacher/professor like Mr. Guy. He is super passionate and a burst of energy making the learning process enjoyable.
Mr. Guy is not like most professors here at the college. He encourages his students to think outside the box, pushing our ability to seek knowledge. He gets deep into the material he’s teaching us, helping his students truly understand what’s being taught instead of just memorizing it.
Mr. Guy has boundaries and rules, not to set us up for failure, but to do quite the opposite. He holds all his students to a high standard, therefore expecting highly from them back.
I would definitely say art was by far the best class I’ve taken here at Nashville State and that is solely thanks to the professor who was teaching it.
-Sulan K.
I have known Guy for one and one-half years since he served as my Art Professor in the fall of 2020 and we have remained in touch since I finished my time at the community college and transferred to a university.
Guy lectured his classes through Zoom during the pandemic and adapted to the online circumstances with creativity. He required everyone in class to be on screen so students would participate in creative challenges, thoughtful prompts, art making activities, and most importantly, art related discussions. Not only did Guy make this class enjoyable for me to participate in, but he changed my lifestyle immensely through his Introduction to Art class.
I am no longer looking at this world for what it is, but I am seeing the world for what it means. I was observing everything in front of me, but Guy’s class removed the mechanical mental labeling that I’d been taught to do as a child and I began to see instead of look, to hear instead of listen, and to convey rather than express. Guy’s teaching enlightened us all and encouraged us to stop allowing things to which we were accustomed to control how we function with one another and engage with the world. He unveiled thoughts and emotions within us and demonstrated the idea of valuing the present moment we are living. Art isn’t restricted to a canvas made with paint. Art can be everywhere we go based on our ability to see with intention. The world can be the canvas, we can be the artists, and what we do with the materials we have is the paint. The life we create is the art.
Guy not only did this through Zoom, but he incorporated the area in which we live by assigning tasks for us to go to certain locations and observe the art, the environment, and the emotions we feel. By understanding and incorporating the elements of art, context and perspective, brainstorming and intentional observation, I was no longer looking at the park I’ve been going to since I was a child as a park, but an area the community got together to help one another when the city faced a flood in 2010 – all because of a piece of public art I experienced in that space.
Guy brings new ideas to not only to the school, but to each community of students inside his classroom.
-Rayan A.