Thank you., Hope Cornell, 2022 - ?

Proposal

For my final project, I will be writing thank you letters to each teacher I’ve had at Dawson (for a total of 28). This will serve as an opportunity to show my gratitude for their work and the impact they have had on my life. I will also be able to reflect on what I learned in the scope of their courses and how it serves me. It’s a meaningful way to conclude my time at Dawson and do something that promotes connection with and appreciation of the individuals who have shaped my mind as a young adult.

The work itself consists of 1) the act of delivering/sending the letters to my teachers, 2) the letters (photocopies/screenshots) and 3) the replies/responses to the project.

Work in Progress / The Process

1 - Writing the letters

I reflected on what I learned, appreciated, and gained from each class. I wrote from the heart, expressing my gratitude and being specific about what I learned and enjoyed about each class.

Challenges:

I wanted to be specific about what we read/learned and had to go back and consult class materials to jog my memory
After a while, it started to feel repetitive
I enjoyed some classes more than others, so sometimes I had more to say and other times not so much
The amount of letters to write

2 - Delivery

I organized the letters by floor, then by hall and then delivered them. I got to meet a few teachers along the way and it was nice to catch up.

Challenges:

I ran out of envelopes halfway through but decided they were not necessary
Some teachers are no longer at Dawson, impossible/hard to track down
For some teachers no longer at Dawson, I tried to find other contact information online and/or sent the letter to their Dawson email
Not all teachers were available at their offices, so I had to improvise and pin the letters to their boards just outside or wait to be let in

3 - Responses

I received responses in person when I met some teachers and I could feel they really appreciated what I had done. I received a few MIOs from those who received their letter pinned outside their office and it was touching to know the letters had such a positive impact on the recipients.

Artist Statement

As an artist, I find myself inspired by the meaning behind a work, rather than the aesthetics or level of skill involved. I also find myself influenced by artists who are willing to put very personal elements of their life on display in meaningful ways.

For this project, I wrote a thank you letter to each teacher I have had since I started at Dawson. I then delivered them to their offices and if that was not possible, I typed them out and sent them by email. I consider these letters an opportunity to express my gratitude and also as an olive branch to promote connection.

I notice a tendency in students to go to class and to leave often without so much as a “thank you”. In my letters, I explore the idea that if we recognize our teachers as individuals like us, who are showing up and doing their best every day, we become better people for it. I also wanted to change the traditional directionality of feedback in an educational setting. Since teachers often get to encourage us in their comments on our work, I wanted to reverse those roles.

I’m also very interested in using art as a way of documenting the passage of time. I wrote these letters in order which allowed me to travel back in time, reliving each course and seeing how my life has evolved since I started at Dawson. These letters document my education from 2019 - 2022. However, because I may receive replies or stay in touch with some teachers as a result, I see this project as lasting until my final communication with any one of my teachers.

In writing these letters, I have come to have a stronger appreciation for my experiences at Dawson and feel more confident leaving. I hope to have a positive impact on my teachers and make them feel recognized. I also want to inspire others to practice gratitude in their lives, reminding them how far a simple “thank you” can go.

The Project

To read all the letters, I invite you to click on the button below.

Read the letters

The Responses

Reflections

I learned I have a lot to be grateful for.
I realized that I had the chance to try a lot of new things (cinema, journalism, philosophy, psychology, etc).
I'm more prepared for university/the future.
I've been lucky to have inspiring teachers and for their encouragement.
I saw just how far a letter of gratitude can go. It can brighten up someone's day and in tough times, bring hope.

After doing this project, I would encourage everyone to write a letter or email to someone who has helped or inspired them. Whom would you like to thank?