Other than mishaps like lost luggage and an unplanned extended stay, Wichita State photography students had a successful two weeks taking pictures of the Asuncion Biennale in Paraguay.

It is the first large, contemporary art exhibition curated by Royce Smith, WSU associate professor and director of the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries.

Senior Mikayla Bastin said the unique trip had many ups and downs, including not having a change of clothes or other necessities for a few days while waiting on lost luggage.

“Our job was to basically interview the artists, take a portrait of them and then take photos of them installing their work,” Bastin said.  

The students took direction from Smith, a 2015 Fulbright Scholar for his work organizing art projects and cultural activities in Paraguay’s capital city, Asuncion, since 2011.

“The gallery was basically the entire city and there were installations all over,” said Bastin. “Instead of being in a specific gallery setting like most art shows are, we saw all sorts of venues and places in Paraguay. One of the installations was even in an abandoned hotel.”

The students enjoyed learning about the artists and the new culture.

“Some of the cultural differences were things like the locals whistling and honking at the blondes in our group or seeing children washing car windows and making an income instead of being in school,” said senior Haydee Mendez. “It was an amazing trip and great to see the differences between our culture and theirs, and learn about the different artists and why they were doing their work.”

Senior Thien Doan’s trip lasted a little longer than expected. Due to not having his green card, he unexpectedly had his visit to Paraguay extended.

 Doan and his family moved to America a few years ago from Vietnam. He is required to take his green card with him when he leaves the U.S. along with his passport.

“I was there by myself for seven days,” said Doan. “I was worried about running out of money, and it was stressful because it was hard to communicate since there weren’t a lot of English speakers. But Manuel [a WSU student from Paraguay] helped me and I stayed with his family.”

Doan’s classmates helped by giving him money and professor Jennifer Ray gave him her laptop.

Doan said that other than being stuck in Paraguay, he and the class had an exciting and educational experience.