By Michael Gonzales – Hesse
Professor Sara Ringler, standing in front of her artwork in Building 6: Wilkens Science Building (Michael Gonzales – Hesse)
Professor Sara Ringler is retiring after 30 years of teaching at Cape Cod Community College. She began her career while earning a master’s degree at the University of Dartmouth, where she taught drawing.
Ringler’s career has spanned several states, from California to New York, before settling in Cape Cod. She has always had a passion for art, a drive that led her to teach drawing, design, and printmaking. Outside the classroom, she has been deeply involved in the local arts community. Ringler is the co-president of Printmaking on Cape Cod and is a member of the Boston Printmakers and the Monotype Guild of New England, where she served as the group’s third president. Her artwork is displayed at The Naked Oyster in Hyannis, the Seal Café in Sandwich, and the Cahoon Museum of American Art in Mashpee.
Ringler’s impact on her students is profound. “You might have innate talent in art, but if you don’t have passion, talent won’t be enough,” she said. Throughout her career, she emphasized the importance of passion in becoming an artist. Even during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, when teaching remotely became difficult, Ringler noticed the drive in her students. One student, unable to find ink for a project, smashed berries to create their own paint. “Passion drives creativity,” Ringler said.
Ringler shared that she has learned as much from her students as they have from her. “I learn so much from students in terms of their diligence, attention to details, and for some, the pursuit of perfection,” she said. “Their dedication inspires me.”
When asked about advice for aspiring educators, Ringler emphasized the importance of loving what you teach. “If you love what you teach, it’ll be easy to inspire others,” she said. She also stressed the importance of motivation and structure in teaching art. “Teaching face-to-face allows you to motivate and support students better,” she added. Even during the pandemic, Ringler found that her students remained “open to play,” which kept the structure and motivation intact.
For students struggling with art, Ringler encourages experimentation with different mediums. “Everyone is an artist; they just haven’t found the right material yet,” she said.
Ringler’s own artwork has evolved over the years. She recently displayed a series of prints in the Science and Engineering Building at 4Cs, featuring seaweed in different forms of light. She also exhibits her monotype work at the Tilden Art Center. Recently, she has incorporated magnets into her pieces to make them more interactive and appeal to a younger, tech-savvy audience, featured at the Cape Museum of Art through February 9.
Ringler also attributes her creative growth to her own children. “I have learned so much from my children in terms of their creative endeavors with interactive art,” she said.
Though retiring from teaching, Ringler plans to continue creating and exhibiting her art. “I will keep sharing my work with the world,” she said.