This immersive RISD Global Summer Studies course based on the island of Hawai’i is designed
for artists and designers who are interested in exploring and documenting the island’s unique
biodiversity, biogeography, and ecology. In the process, you will observe firsthand the forces
(such as climate change, deforestation, invasive species, and pollution) that have driven many
species to extinction and created opportunities for others to thrive. You will also learn about
the historical and current connections between art, conservation, and local and Indigenous
environmental practices, including the Hawaiian concept of “kilo” or mindful observation of
nature. The course is led by Senior Lecturer/SCI Dr. Lucy Spelman with teaching assistance from
MFA Graphic Design student Roye Zhang, who took a winter session version of this course in
2022. The group will be housed in traveler’s lodge style accommodation in Hilo with meals and
transportation provided. Daily activities will include topical presentations, walks-in-nature, and
art-making. The group will visit a variety of unique natural areas representing a range of
altitudes and ecosystems, including coral reefs, cloud forests, dry forests, lava fields, tropical
forests, and volcanoes. These destinations will include national wildlife refuges (Hakalau
National Wildlife Refuge); nature trails (Hualalai Volcano, Kaulana Manu Nature Trail, Makuala
O’ma Trail); national parks (Kaloko-Honokohau National Park, Hawai’i [Kīlauea] Volcanoes
National Park); cultural heritage sites (Hamakua Heritage Corridor); native plant gardens
(Kohanaiki Native Plant Garden and Cultural Learning Center, Amy B.H.Greenwell
Ethnobotanical Garden); land conservation initiatives (Waikoloa Dryland Forest Initiative); and,
two volcanic mountains (Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa.)
Course Dates: Jan 1, 2025 — Jan 17, 2025
Minimum 2.5 GPA required. First year students are not eligible for this course.
Bushwise Field Guides
Includes accommodation, all meals, field trips, local transportation, museum entrances, health and travel insurance. Airfare to South Africa is not included.
This immersive interdisciplinary Wintersession course offered by RISD Global is for art and design students interested in exploring past and current efforts to conserve biodiversity in Southern Africa while also developing their communication and documentation skills.
On location for two weeks in South Africa and one in Namibia, this course will be co-taught by longtime RISD faculty member, scientist Dr. Lucy Spelman (Senior Lecturer/HPSS) and Susan Doyle, Professor, Illustration (or an alternate ILL faculty member.) Students will study the local biodiversity, how local people and visitors interact with nature, and how art, science, and traditional ecological knowledge influence and inform conservation decisions. Once back on campus, students spend two weeks on a final art/design project that explores the concept of conservation based on their African experience. In addition to a completed work of art or design, the final project will include 1) an artist statement that describes the student’s artistic aim/inspiration/process and 2) an annotated essay/summary of the scientific references and literary influences that informed their art.
The application for Wintersession Travel Courses 2025 will is now closed.
View detailsThe entire application process will be completed using an online application portal. You will be able to upload, request and submit all required documents there. Apply to a Wintersession Travel Course
If you are a RISD or Brown University student with a GPA of 2.5 and up, you are eligible to apply. Permission of the instructor is required and is based upon application and selection.
RISD reserves the right to cancel a course due to under-enrollment or for reasons related to health and safety.
Requesting to withdraw from a RISD global learning program, including Wintersession Travel Courses, prior to the start of the course is highly discouraged and requires a formal process outlined in the RISD course withdrawal policy.
The application for Wintersession Travel Courses 2025 will is now closed.
View details
Have questions? The RISD Global team is available to meet for a 1:1 advising session. We can give you more information about your study options, help you figure out which program makes sense for you, and assist you with the application process.
Schedule an Appointment