I applied to art college unsure of what I ultimately wanted to do; I thought about illustrating, pursuing art therapy, teaching... I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to make art.
Through my experience here, I was able to explore my options through rigorous coursework, being challenged to think outside of my typical aesthetic and assign meaning to my work. Not only did I learn how to make good art, but I also learned how to create a business, apply to grants and residencies, form connections with emerging as well as established artists in Memphis and around the world, put together an art exhibit and pretty much everything I needed to know to become a professional artist.
I felt that my instructors had a strong interest in my success and I felt challenged and open to asking questions of them. Probably my favorite course was Professional Practices (a class which is now a graduation requirement) in which we learned everything we needed to know about being a professional artist. The Career Services department also checked in with me regularly so that as my future career plans changed, I got all the assistance I needed to explore those options.
Four years after graduating from MCA, I am proud of my achievements, most of which I attribute to my time at this institution. I have shown my work in around 50 exhibitions, have been hired steadily to create commissions, including creating a massive painting for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and I sell my work pretty regularly. I did not always enjoy my time in school (who ever does?) but I liked it enough to stick around and I'm so pleased that I did.
I highly recommend Memphis College of Art.