Emma Hardy Receives the Award for Excellence in the Arts
by Tatiana Flis, Arts Council Program Administrator
Established in 2002, the J. Robert Barth, S.J., Award for Excellence in the Arts is given each year at Commencement to a senior who has made an outstanding contribution to Boston College in the fine or performing arts, such as music, theater, dance, film or other visual media, throughout their college career.
Fr. Barth is credited with revitalizing the arts at Boston College. He first came to the University as the Thomas I. Gasson Professor in 1985. As dean, he established the Music and Theatre departments, oversaw the opening of the McMullen Museum of Art, and was the first chair of the Boston College Arts Council. This year’s recipient is part of the continued excellence and passion set forth by Fr. Barth. Through her academic research, studio practice, and involvement in promoting the arts throughout her four years at Boston College, Emma Hardy joins the ranks of Eagles that lead by example, and exemplifies “men and women for others.”
Emma Hardy (MCAS ’20)
Major: Studio Art
Minor: Film Studies
Involvement:
Eagles and Buddies
Camp Kesem
Arts Council
Marketing Coordinator
Social Media Coordinator
Lead Designer
How have you been involved in the arts at BC?
My most significant involvement was working for the Arts Council all four years, which was a formative experience. I was able to have a creative job while simultaneously promoting the arts at BC through events like Arts Fest, Week of Dance, and Career Night for the Arts. I also took as many different classes as I could in the Art, Art History, and Film Department in order to explore different modes of artistic communication. I always looked forward to attending art activities on campus such as artist talks, dance shows, and a cappella performances. I was constantly in awe of all the talent at BC!
What has been your most meaningful arts experience at BC?
Definitely Arts Fest! When I was a senior in high school, I was indecisive about where to go to college. My parents took me to visit BC again, and it just so happened to be Arts Fest weekend. There were students singing, artwork hanging in the Stokes tent, and little kids drawing with chalk in the quad. The whole campus was alive with artistic energy and celebration. In witnessing this part of BC’s art community, my decision became clear. My first week of freshman year, I started working for the Arts Council and have loved being a part of bringing Arts Fest to life ever since. My art experience at BC has really come full circle.
“I have had the privilege of working with Emma Hardy for the past three years in the Arts Council. She is not only a joy to work with, but her creativity and dedication to the arts is infectious. Emma’s keen eye, passion, and her personal artistic achievements, will leave a positive lasting impact on the Boston College community.”
I am intrigued overall by the conceptualization of your work and how you decide to begin your projects. Can you tell me a little about your overall process? What excites you to get into the studio?
I often find myself looking at an item and wondering, “What I can make out of that?” I also try to take pictures of things I find aesthetically intriguing throughout my day (my iCloud storage is always full). I love listening to music, reading, doodling, and googling the work of other artists online. All of these things get me inspired to start creating.
What mediums do you work with?
My favorite part of creating art is experimenting with materials. During my time at BC I have worked with paint, collage, plaster, papier-mâché, film photography, candle wax, fabric, wood, resin, clay, and even live plants. On a less messy note, I do a lot of digital work creating videos and animations.
“Emma is a dedicated student and also a great talent. She is inherently artistic, she practices her craft consistently, and she prolifically produces work. It is wonderful to have her in class and it is a joy to teach. She is a bright star.”
Have you seen ways that your studies in non arts courses and your artistic process interact?
For me, going to a liberal arts school was definitely beneficial. Taking classes in all sorts of subjects provided additional intellectual stimulation that seemed to seep into my work even if I wasn’t consciously aware of it at the time. My course load each semester was a complementary mix.
“Emma Hardy has a terrific work ethic, is creating an impressive body of art work and is an important colleague and inspiration to her peers.”
Is there something you are currently working on, or are excited about starting that you can tell us about?
I recently have had a weird obsession with watching wood carving videos, so I’m thinking maybe I will give that a go this summer. Other than that, I am looking forward to having a more relaxed schedule so that I have extra time to play around and create casually for a while.
Do you have any heroes or role models in the arts, at BC, as well as in the general art world?
This might be a long one!
To start—my art professors. They are all amazing artists and I feel so lucky to have sat in their classrooms. A special shoutout to Jane Cassidy, who sparked my love for Ireland, projection, and 3-frame loops, and Sheila Gallagher, who inspired me, challenged me, and provided me with dozens of blocks of floral foam and a box full of moss when I needed it the most. Additionally, Candice Ivy and Karl Baden, who are creative, smart, and effortlessly cool, and Stoney Conley and Mark Cooper, who supported me in my independent work this year.
Secondly—all of my Arts Council coworkers over the years, especially my boss, Tatiana Flis, whose passion, work ethic, artistic abilities, and donut-picking skills are unparalleled. I genuinely have no idea how she does it all, but she is a testament to what it means to be an artist. Not only was she a huge help for me in the work that I did for the Arts Council, but she has also acted as a mentor for my studio practices. She has been such a kind, reassuring presence in my life, and has set the bar unreasonably high for my future bosses.
Finally—my parents, who are my role models for everything, including art. They are both extremely talented individuals and have supported all of my artistic inclinations. They have helped me out of countless sticky situations (literally) and they don’t get too mad when I get paint on the kitchen table.
“Emma Hardy is a once in a decade talent, a rare sighting in the life of a teacher. Emma’s talents are broad enough that she has facility with any number of media and materials. This range can make complicated the choices of what to do, what to work on. But instead of settling on one thing that she does well Emma presses on to find new language to express herself, overcoming technical obstacles, reworking, and refining until she gets it right for herself. Having an internal compass, she finds her “true north,” always a few degrees off from the path most traveled. Her persistence in this journey gives me faith that she will arrive at the destination that none of us can exactly see for her. There is a saying of William Blake, in his ”Marriage of Heaven and Hell”, where he says that “if the doors of perception were cleansed, we should see everything, everything, as it is infinitely.” This is the problem of aesthetic vision, the vision of the artist, and it has set Emma on a life’s journey.”
How has your work in the arts at BC informed your next steps after graduation?
Thanks to my art classes, Arts Council job, and design internships, I know that I want to continue in the arts professionally. I would love to work in film or animation, but am open to any creative opportunity!
What advice would you share with underclassmen about getting involved in the arts at Boston College?
Subscribe to the Eyes on Art newsletter!! There is a world of opportunities, fun experiences, and talented people at BC (and in Boston)—so be proactive and put yourself out there.