9:00 - 11:00 AM

Howard Tran - Lycoming College

Transportation is on your own.

Art and Zen

I believe art is a reflection of life. In my classes, I introduce students to artistic concepts, ideas, and techniques while also encouraging them to explore their identities and develop their own voices. My approach to teaching art is similar to Zen Buddhism: just as the practitioner of meditation seeks their true nature or true self, the student’s goal is to discover an authentic voice and style.

Both processes are grounded in exploration and awareness. They embrace constant change, openness to new perspectives, and the challenge of one’s own conditioning. In my classes, students and I engage in discussions about issues that affect their lives—such as technology and science, the environment, religion, politics, race, and identity—because deeper self-awareness strengthens artistic expression. Through this process, art becomes not only a creative practice, but also a means of understanding oneself and the world.