Pictured (left to right): Dr. Brandon Truett, Gwen Ericson, Dr. Elizabeth Decker, Victoria Borisenko, Gianna Miele, Dr. Christine Giviskos, Dr. Carla Caponegro, Dr. Jeremiah William McCarthy
Pictured (left to right): Dr. Carla Caponegro and Dr. Elizabeth Decker
When Dr. Liz Decker and Dr. Carla Caponegro, Assistant Teaching Professors in the Rutgers Writing Program, teamed up with the Zimmerli Art Museum, the result was more than just a new teaching space. It was a reimagining of how students experience writing, observation, and meaning-making.
This new project builds on the success of the Fall 2024 Study Gallery Exhibit, “Conversations,” which was previously led by Dr. Brandon Truett, Head of Learning and Engagement and Dr. Jonah Siegel, Distinguished Professor of English. The collaboration between the Writing Program and the Zimmerli has grown into a program-level initiative that invites faculty to use the museum as a dynamic learning environment. “Our focus this year has been to expand ways for Writing Program faculty to use the Zimmerli as a teaching space and incubator for fundamental analytical and critical thinking skills, like close observation, contextual interpretation, asking questions...” said Dr. Caponegro. “We envision enrichment opportunities for all Writing Program courses.”
A New Space for Writing and Thinking
Pictured: Students completing an activity at the Decolonial Dialogues exhibit
The project centers on College Writing (101) and College Writing Extended (104), two foundational courses that nearly every Rutgers undergraduate takes in their first year. These courses emphasize writing as an active, rather than a passive process. The new exhibit is called “Decolonial Dialogues.” During their class visit to the Zimmerli, students engage in structured writing and analysis activities designed to promote cognitive skills such as close observation, evidence-based reasoning, and contextual interpretation. While students only meet once at the Zimmerli, they are invited back throughout the semester to reflect on the exhibit. “It’s a privilege to work with these incoming students,” Dr. Decker reflected. “By expanding their classroom learning into the Zimmerli, we also help expose them to the many opportunities at our New Brunswick campus.”
Pictured (left to right): Dr. Jeremiah William McCarthy, Dr. Brandon Truett, Dr. Carla Caponegro, Dr. Elizabeth Decker, Dr. Christine Giviskos
This initiative was made possible through close collaboration with Dr. Jeremiah William McCarthy, Chief Curator, Dr. Brandon Truett, and Dr. Christine Giviskos, Curator of Prints, Drawings, and European Art, whose expertise helped shape activities connecting visual analysis with writing pedagogy. They are excited about this collaboration in that, “We believe the most powerful interpretations emerge when museums stop offering perspectives and start inviting them.”
Learning Beyond the Classroom
For many students, visiting the Zimmerli is their first experience in an art museum. That unfamiliar environment can at first feel intimidating, but it quickly becomes a source of excitement and discovery. “The best part of this collaboration, though also the most challenging part, is getting students out of the classroom and into a novel learning environment,” Dr. Decker revealed.
Instructors note that students respond especially well to the in-person experience. In one class, every student mentioned in their anonymous feedback that they appreciated having a lesson outside the traditional classroom setting. “Immersing the students in the museum space is an intrinsic part of the project and collaboration,” Dr. Caponegro explained. Dr. Caponegro also noted that students “found it inspiring to see such a diversity of perspectives emerge from a shared experience.”
Student Voices: Seeing and Thinking Differently
Pictured (left to right): Aresty students, Victoria Borisenko, Gianna Miele, Gwen Ericson
Student responses have been overwhelmingly positive, and in many cases, transformative.
Victoria Borisenko (Class of 2028), a psychology major and Aresty Research Assistant, reflected on how the experience shaped her understanding of both art and writing: “When I was a student in College Writing, exploring the Zimmerli helped me build my critical thinking and visual literacy skills,” she said. “It pulled me out of the traditional classroom and into a space where there were no concrete roles or limitations. As an Aresty Research Assistant now, it’s exciting to see this collaboration continue.”
Gianna Miele (Class of 2028), a marketing major and Aresty Research Assistant, echoed that sentiment: “As a student, I felt the experience supported different aspects of my learning and made learning more inclusive for those who struggle with traditional teaching styles,” she shared. “Now, as part of the research team, I see how connecting with art helps students connect with one another. It breaks that fourth wall and creates a safe environment for open discussions.”
Looking Ahead
The Writing Program and Zimmerli teams are now developing plans to create enduring, student-centered spaces within the museum where student writing and interpretation can become part of the ongoing exhibitions. Future collaborations will explore rotating themes that resonate across the Rutgers community, such as Decolonial Dialogues and other topics that invite inclusive, multidisciplinary engagement.
Through this partnership, the Writing Program and Zimmerli Art Museum are redefining what it means to teach and learn writing at Rutgers, moving beyond the page and into spaces that encourage observation and creativity.
To learn more about the collaboration, visitors are welcome to browse this and all other exhibits at the Zimmerli. The Zimmerli is open to the public and offers FREE admission to everyone.