Jeannine Kraft stands in a castle door.

By Kristen M. Foley

Jeannine Kraft’s imagination has been directed across the Atlantic Ocean ever since she was a young girl. Staying true to her earliest interests, the CCAD Liberal Arts assistant professor and History of Art and Design chair has fashioned a lifelong career from her ever-evolving passion for all things Irish.

Kraft’s childhood fascination was with medieval literature and mythology from throughout England, Ireland, and Wales. As a graduate student at Ohio State University, she focused on medieval Irish art, but over the past few years she has expanded her exploration of Irish art and culture. She’s currently investigating the expression of identity in the country’s art and how it reflects the history rooted in its breathtaking landscape.

An untitled print by Robert Ellis from his series "New Line." (© Robert Ellis)

“There are these layers of history that mark the landscape,” says Kraft. “When you [first] think of Ireland you think of the castles, the high crosses, and the standing stones, and how they became an embedded part of their cultural identity—but I’m interested in how they are reflected in the visual arts.”

During her sabbatical last summer Kraft used a CCAD Faculty Enrichment grant to make her eighth trip to Ireland. “I’m so passionate about the culture that when I do get to go somewhere, I choose there,” she muses. “I should probably diversify a little, but I love it so much.”

Even with eight trips behind her, Kraft still learns something new about the country and its people every time she visits. During last summer’s trip she chose to deepen her research on modern and contemporary art. What she uncovered was somewhat of an artistic struggle, as contemporary Irish artists try to embrace their heritage and the landscape without being drowned out by stereotypical views of their country. Kraft observes that the art of today is in contention with images of the past over which should serve as the authentic voice and vision of Irish culture.

An untitled print by Robert Ellis from his series "New Line." (© Robert Ellis)

“It’s a really loaded question for contemporary artists, because there is a tourist stereotype and kitsch image of Ireland, and they struggle with that legacy and cultural baggage,” says Kraft. “That’s really where I’m moving forward with my research, to this idea of the duality of the expression of Irish identity: the constructed mythology of the landscape versus contemporary artists striving for an authentic engagement with the landscape and its legacy.”

Kraft credits CCAD with assisting her in pursuing her work and allowing her to share it with her students, who are already fascinated with Irish art. She notes that students are curious about how the art has trickled down into contemporary pop culture via the use of Irish and Celtic symbols in tattoos and fashion patterns.

One final note brings Kraft’s childhood passion full circle. Her love for Ireland and for her young son have inspired her to write Liam the Valiant-Hearted Warrior, a children’s book set in Ireland and illustrated by CCAD Illustration alumnus Patrick Butler. She’s currently shopping it to publishers; we’re all looking forward to the results.

Above: The middle and last images are contemporary archival inkjet prints by Irish artist Robert Ellis from his series New Line, which documents the space inhabited by a small alternative community in the west of Ireland (both images Untitled, 40 x 47 inches, © Robert Ellis). The gallery below (click any image to view in larger, slideshow mode) includes snapshots from Kraft’s recent visit to Ireland.

From the Pipeline Project video directed by Erich Burchfield (with Meghann Pearson, Jen Stefanski, Dan Zimmer, Greg Browe, Philip Matthews, and Andy Robinson)

In film and video, there are a million ways to tell a story. With CCAD’s newly designed major in Cinematic Arts, you can find the right way (or ways) to tell yours, as well as learn the latest tools and tricks of the trade. Students in the program, which was officially approved last fall, learn the whole filmmaking process: storyboarding, production design, cinematography, directing, and post-production.

“The Cinematic Arts major grew out of a previous program, Media Studies, which was more general in nature. The recent name change reflects curricular revisions to offer a more focused major,” says Kevin J. Conlon, CCAD vice president for academic affairs. “This program prepares students in all cinema-related areas, but I think what distinguishes it from a typical film program is that, while the traditional skill sets are there, our program is all digitally based. Students won’t be working with traditional film—they’ll be working with 21st-century tools and techniques. We wanted to think ahead and think more broadly about preparing CCAD students for a variety of cinematic experiences.”

Conlon notes that students who pursue this major will dive deep into the roles of director, screenwriter, cinematographer, video editor, motion graphics designer, and sound designer. Throughout their coursework, they’ll be exposed to the latest film and editing technology and have the opportunity to spend time outside the classroom shooting on location. By the time students finish their senior project and put it on the big screen, they’ll have both a remarkable demo reel (including cutting-edge commercials, broadcast graphics, music videos, and short films) and a portfolio to showcase their talents.

Prospective students who are interested in the Cinematic Arts major should contact the CCAD Admissions office. Current students should contact One-Stop Student Services and make an appointment with an advisor.

In the gallery below, some student work by recent Cinematic Arts students.