Joia Duskic

1.  How are you applying your degree in Art History from Concordia?

The Concordia University Faculty of Fine Arts and, more specifically, the Department of Art History have structured the past five years of my life. I was introduced to an array of scholars, thinkers, emerging writers, artists, and theorists through the valuable knowledge of my professors. I was then asked to take position and foster an environment where others and I could absorb the process of developing projects efficiently and graciously from start to finish. These projects would range from academic research to personal accomplishments encouraged by faculty and staff members. I quickly understood that through this fast-paced stimulation, my mind would learn to be in a constant state of knowledge appreciation. As the minds of Concordia students are always burgeoning with ideas, texts, images, thoughts, suggestions, and recommendations, we expeditiously learn to develop ways to share and appreciate each other’s intakes. As I prepare to embark on a journey that leads me to the Department of European Languages and Transcultural Studies at UCLA, I understand that my passage through the Concordia Art History Department will do far more than infuse my future research project as a Graduate Fellow. Looking back, I was fully immersed in the rich environment of the Department for the period of my BFA and MA, which led to me adopting the posture of the people who created this warm ambiance. In response, I will myself thrive to foster respect and humility, to reflect on the future in a positive light, to promote attention to detail, to appreciate the act of sharing knowledge and learning with others, to invite fruitful exchanges and intellectual collaboration, and to value, above all, a sense of community.

2. What do you value most from your Art History experience?

I entered the program by doubtfully stating my objectives to my supervisor. I was ambiguous about what I wanted to accomplish during the two years of my MA and dubious about how I could maximize my time in the program. I was met with a clear mobilization from my supervisor, the staff members, and my professors. Each time I proposed a new idea, I felt like my mentors were working like bees to help me seize new opportunities and push my personal limits. I value how I felt when I realized that I wasn’t alone and that masterful thinkers were available if I needed help throughout my route. At the same time, I recognize that I wasn’t only receiving direct help. I can now say with conviction that every aspect of the program was intertwined with the next. A series of coincidences between the courses I took, the people I met, the texts I was reading, the lectures I was listening and the discussions I was having led me to be where I am today. I take none of these steps for granted, and I urge you to do the same. Trust the process.

3. Is there a particular memory that stands out from your time at Concordia?

The adaptivity of my professors impressed me throughout my degree. The way they forged their courses to the receptivity of the students and to the environment that was available is a skill I wish to develop. As the pandemic regained strength in January 2022, one Professor organized a course in a lovely Montreal outdoor café. Fire pits, hot cocoa, and laughter punctuated our learning and allowed us to study safely while maximizing our access to Montreal’s hidden gems. Dressed up in our warmest attires, we talked, shared, and absorbed each other’s presence during this one-of-a-kind experience. This memory associated with the city’s essence is one of the many that I’ll transport with me as I prepare to leave Montreal for my PhD studies.

4.  What advice would you give to someone considering graduate studies in Art History?

Flexibility is key when entering the Art History program at Concordia University. The multidisciplinarity and the active pedagogy nurtured by professors will lead you to constantly adapt your research interests throughout your degree. Openness and resilience are necessary to adjust your intentions to your learning curve. I tried to avoid building a preconceived notion of what my MA thesis would look like before entering the program by adopting a sponge-like attitude toward learning new and confronting ideas. Finally, remember that you are not alone when navigating unknown territory; your colleagues are also trying to delicately understand their place in the vast ecosystem of the university and the city. Grit and rigor will help you to build a nourishing community of support.