Just as a jeweler examines a gemstone through a magnifying lens, a dentist utilizes a pair of loupes and employs a mouth mirror to inspect for tartar buildup. During the spring semester, pre-dental pupils at the University of Georgia have quickly acquired skills in manual craftsmanship thanks to an innovative alliance between the UGA Pre-Professional Advising Office and the Lamar Dodd School of Art.
The recently introduced Manual Dexterity Through Art non-credit certificate program provides a group of 14 undergraduate participants an opportunity to hone their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination in the dynamic environments of the university’s ceramics, jewelry and metalworking, as well as printmaking and book arts disciplines located across East and North Campus.
This semester, the course is instructed by Leah Mazza, a teacher in jewelry and metalwork, alongside MFA candidates Kayla Hall, specializing in printmaking, and Jordan Winiski, focusing on ceramics. It commenced this spring, with funding sourced from a dentist who aspired for UGA students to secure a competitive edge in their dental school applications. Lise Kalla, an advisor in the Pre-Professional Advising Office for UGA’s pre-dentistry and optometry students, verifies this competitive advantage.
“We have created several certificate offerings with partners on campus to bolster students’ applications for professional schools,” stated Kalla. “Understanding that preparation for dental school includes a unique focus on refining manual dexterity skills, we approached the Lamar Dodd School of Art for collaboration.”
To evaluate the initiative, the advising office consulted with dental schools and received enthusiastic affirmation that fostering manual dexterity would be advantageous for the students.
Pasha Kohzadpour utilizes a jeweler’s saw to carve out the “Power G” in copper for the project he is developing within the Manual Dexterity Through Art non-credit certificate program. The students participate in various art sessions in ceramics, jewelry and metalwork, and printmaking aimed at enhancing their manual dexterity for prospective careers as dentists. (Photo by Peter Frey/UGA)
Engaging Hands-on Experience
Participants in the program advance through a series of three sessions each in ceramics, jewelry crafting, and printmaking, culminating in a pop-up exhibition scheduled for April 25.
“In the past three weeks, my experiences with ceramics have instilled in me stamina and precision when molding materials with my hands,” remarked Cindy Choi, a biology student from the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. “Engraving detailed patterns into ceramic mugs has allowed me to visualize how delicate work with instruments might feel in a dental practice.”
Maddy Hyde, studying nutritional sciences in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, shared insights about the valuable skills gained during a ceramics activity. The group utilized oscillators — specifically, a tabletop tool that vibrates and shakes mixed substance to eliminate bubbles from plaster — and then shaped the plaster into pots, a method akin to what dentists employ for making casts and models.
Jordan Winiski, an MFA candidate and instructor for the program, adapted the curriculum to correspond with dental techniques aligning with the students’ professional aspirations. This included tasks like creating molds, utilizing stains, modeling porcelain, and carving with metal instruments. “Engaging in hands-on activities is incredibly vital, and it has been fulfilling to collaborate with these students,” remarked Winiski.
Undergraduate student Maddy Hyde learns to operate the polishing wheel under the guidance of jewelry and metalwork instructor Leah Mazza during a session for pre-dentistry students. These students are completing the art-dental certificate program to enhance their manual dexterity, a crucial skill for those in the dental field. (Photo by Peter Frey/UGA)
Visible Outcomes
The prolonged stretch of focused, intentional effort cultivated in a studio atmosphere encourages students to rediscover their tactile creativity and problem-solving abilities.
“Currently, my shift to jewelry making and metalworking has enriched my comprehension of fine motor control and meticulousness,” Choi said. “These artistic endeavors feel more than just creative; they’re practical, hands-on training that I recognize will directly apply to my clinical expertise.”
This inaugural run of the Manual Dexterity Through Art Certificate program quickly filled all slots with upper-level undergraduates eager to leverage this creative addition to their portfolios. The School of Art and the Pre-Professional Advising Office aim to sustain this mutually advantageous partnership and entice students earlier in their pre-dental pathways to motivate them to pursue additional arts courses at UGA prior to graduation.
“We were thrilled with the enthusiastic feedback from the Dodd, and their commitment to the success of this initiative,” Kalla expressed. “This program artfully demonstrates the achievements possible when two unexpected university associates think creatively to offer opportunities for students.”
A pop-up exhibition showcasing student creations will be accessible to the public at the Lamar Dodd School of Art Glass Gallery from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 25. For more details regarding the program, please reach out to Lise Kalla at [email protected].
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