Picasso, Michelangelo and Monet are a few of the world’s greatest artists that have managed to set the standards of what art is and isn’t.

James Elkins, professor of Art History, Theory and Criticism at the Institute of Chicago, gave a lecture at Sacramento State on Nov. 20th, and posed the most interesting question regarding art:can art be taught? The name of Elkins Handbook for art students, as well as the discussion topic, was “Of course not, but so what?”

Is this the consensus that the society of art has come to? Do the art students here on Sac State’s campus agree or disagree with this statement?

In agreement with Elkins, art major, Brenda Falcon said, “Art can be guided, but not taught. I had a teacher who was instructing me on how to shadow pictures. He told me verbally and through my creativity I was able to do it.”

Falcon also believes creating art has more to do with the creative mind and heart, not the techniques.”If you teach someone art and they are not creative, then you’re only teaching them how to imitate,” Falcon said. “Creativity has to be added or it’s just like tracing.”

The disadvantage of teaching art also has a lot to do with the artist’s interpretation and expression of the world, which is an aspect that cannot be taught.

“A teacher can’t teach you how to draw or be an artist,” said art major, Marabella Sanchez. “Art is your own interpretation, and you have to have the niche in order to be an artist. The heart is what gives you expression and a teacher can’t teach you that.”

Art major Claire Young said, “I think you could teach someone a technique of art and they could learn it, but you can’t teach someone how to be creative. Expression through art is not possible to do by teaching, it just has to come.”

Luz Lua-Foster, graduate student of art, sees eye-to-eye with both Young and Sanchez. “I agree that there is a certain teaching process that can be taught, but the inner expression and conception of who you are can’t be taught.”

According to Christina Dung, art student, teachers may not be able to teach a student art, but they definitely have the capability to help conjure up the artist inside each student.

“I believe everyone has that creativity and potential to be an artist like Picasso,” said Dung. “Teachers are able to evoke that creative ability that makes people artists.”

Art student, Diante Webb went into depth about his feelings toward the natural ability to be an artist and why James Elkins has a point.

“On a physical level, no,” Webb said. “Some of the greatest artists were not taught, they were mentored. As an artist you should be able to create different styles through your expression from your experience.”

Sac State art students seem to be in harmony with each other on rather or not art can be taught. It was unanimous that it cannot. It is the natural desire to express your experience through your work artistically, which is considered a given gift to an individual.

Diante Webb concluded, “Art is a natural creativity that people have that is called a talent.”