Bishop Manogue AP Art students went to San Francisco last Thursday for a field trip. The trip was centered around a visit to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, for commonly known as SFMOMA. This trip gave student the opportunity to experience various works from renowned artists in person. For many students, the visit was not only educational, but also a highlight of the school year.
In previous years, Bishop Manogue Art students traveled internationally for their AP Art trip. Two years ago, students had the opportunity to travel to Italy for the first and only time, where they were able to study famous works of art and architecture. However, the Italy trip has since been cancelled. Students and teachers speculate that this might have been connected to a school Pilgrimage taking place around the same time of the trip, resulting more international trips that the school was permitted to have. Last year, some students attempted to organize a petition that would bring the Italy trip back, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Although many students were initially disappointed by the change, the San Francisco trip quickly brought excitement, and proved to be a memorable experience
Students arrived at Bishop Manogue in the early morning, meeting at 6:50 am before boarding a bus that would leave promptly at 7 am. Despite the early start, excitement remained for the 4 hour bus ride as student talked, listened to music, slept, and played games. Once arrived in San Francisco, students were dropped off at the Metreon, a shopping center situated 3 minutes away from SFMOMA. There, students were given time to eat lunch, explore the area, and shop at nearby stores such as Target. The free time allowed students to relax after a long bus ride and enjoy the atmosphere of the city. After spending about an hour and a half at the Metreon, students walked down to the St. Patrick Catholic Church, where they attended Mass for a short period of time. This added another meaningful experience to the trip as it reflected Bishop Manogue’s identity. Following Mass, students made their way towards SFMOMA, where they were finally able to explore the museum’s many exhibits.
Inside the museum, students got the opportunity to view a wide range of modern and contemporary artwork, including massive installations, sculptures, paintings, and interactive displays. Many students especially enjoyed the museum’s more immersive displays that allowed them to create and add to existing artworks. Among the some of the most popular exhibits was the work “Fortuna and the Immortality Garden” by Kara Walker, which drew a lot of attention for its mechanical dolls. Students also enjoyed the works of Louise Bourgeois, an artist those in AP 3D had previously studied and discussed in class. Being able to see these famous works in person gave students a deeper appreciation and understanding of art.
“This was definitely my favorite part of our AP Art class!” says one student who attended the trip, “I felt very inspired by some of the pieces!”
Overall, the San Francisco field trip provided Bishop Manogue AP Art students with an engaging and memorable learning experience that we hope to continue in the future.
