Todd Yau is a first-generation student at Hampshire College. He is majoring in neuroscience and is interested in genetics and molecular biology. He witnessed firsthand how the COVID-19 pandemic completely changed his high school and college learning experience. His interview with James Lambert focuses on an artist/art teacher in respect to solutions and restrictions, both personal and general, that arose in both fields during the pandemic.
James Lambert is a Boston-based artist and art professor. He is the cofounder of the JAWS artist group and papermill, Artist Made Paper. His artwork has been showcased in several Boston galleries as well as in published material. During this interview, James Lambert speaks of his background in art, art teaching, and his personal projects during COVID-19 pandemic.
Reflection:I found the interview process to be quite a surreal experience. My interview was much longer, coming in at 40, rather than 20, minutes. I felt that having a longer interview allowed for a much more comfortable experience. The interview experience was a little more daunting on paper but moved much more smoothly in person. I think that interviews run the best when the interviewer has done research beforehand. Understanding where the interviewee comes from and formulating questions that are appropriate in the moment really created an immersive interviewing experience. Furthermore, thinking fast and taking notes while the interviewee is speaking helps to track topics of interest and helps direct the flow of conversation.