MJC Alumna Personifies a Liberal Arts Education

According to Shelby Woodings, art and philosophy go together like peanut butter and jelly. 

She might be one of the few people ever to make this unusual analogy – but here’s why.

Shelby started her education by majoring in art – a passion she’d had from a young age. “While others played with friends outside, I was content to be anywhere as long as I had my paper and coloring tools,” she says. “By middle and high school, art classes and a part-time job at a fabric and craft store allowed me to explore even more mediums.”

So, it was natural that she would pursue an art degree. What she didn’t expect was how philosophy would impact her thought process.

“I entered a philosophy 101 class not quite understanding what the word philosophy means,” Shelby recalls. “A few weeks into the class, I was arguing concepts I had always thought about, but never had the vocabulary or educational background to comprehend! I was fascinated with philosophy and the many routes it can take from theories in ethics and religion, to principles of logic and how to construct a valid argument. I was also attracted to philosophy because of how similar it is to art.” 

“Philosophy seeks to put words to concepts that artists put into visualizations,” she adds. “I fell in love with both. I knew art alone would not satisfy my hunger for knowledge, but philosophy alone would not satisfy my hunger for physical expression through artwork. This is why I decided to double major.” 

Shelby’s plan is to teach others what has inspired her. “If it had not been for my passionate philosophy teacher, I would not have made all the connections to understanding that I have today,” she explains. “Philosophy has helped me to be more of a critical thinker, to do better on tests, and to have confidence in my education. Art has helped me to relieve stress, explore my potential and express concepts of philosophy visually.” 

Today, Shelby is a junior at CSU, Stanislaus and she plans to teach philosophy or art, or possibly both. “But my main hope is this,” Shelby says. “All students need passionate educators, and I would be honored to eventually take my college professor’s place in teaching others about my passion in philosophy and art. I want to convey his thought that philosophy extends all of its branches into the tree of life. My tree of life is ready to teach these passions.”