School of the Arts: Creativity and camaraderie converge in the North Woods
For teacher, the program inspires growth, ‘humility’
Photo: Steve Apps
Marshall Cook relishes the “aha” moments he’s experienced teaching at School of the Arts 18 times during the past 24 years.
“I see leaps of confidence,“ says Cook, a professor of creating writing with the Division of Continuing Studies of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“People come in apprehensive and by the end of the week, they are full of confidence,” he says.
“I learn so much from my students here — their insights, seeing their breakthroughs, their enthusiasm. I always take that away with me.”
Some students have nowhere else in their lives where the urge to write — or paint or play music — is valued. Yet, they come and take a chance in an environment where the urge to create is understood and honored.
“It’s taught me humility,” Cook says.
The real test will be whether new writers — and other fledgling artists — will be able to keep up their work once they return to the demands of everyday life.
“Writing is all about repetition,” Cook says. “If you want to be a writer, write every day, and read. No matter what setbacks you meet, just keep writing.”
— Pat Schneider
- Home
- Tapping ‘the deepest wells’ of creativity
- Three generations come together
- For teacher, the program inspires growth, ‘humility’
- Support for the arts central to creative economy
- Younger students relish the experience
- Students plan to live what they learned