ASM International Exhibition

ASM International, an organization for materials scientists and engineers working with metals, teamed with Kent State to produce a student art exhibition on display throughout the halls and conference rooms of their world headquarters in Materials Park, Ohio. I was happy to find out that my work had been selected for the show, which will be on display until December 2013. All of the selected works can be viewed on their website: http://www.asminternational.org/portal/site/www/about-asm/ksu/

Cecarelli & Sons (right) at the ASM International Headquarters in Materials Park, OH

At their beautiful campus, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and much more than an office building, one can't help but be inspired. The surrounding treetops and gardens pour in through giant walls of windows, becoming part of the contemporary, open-concept work environment with the perfect touch of mid-century pizzazz. The enormous latticework geodesic dome sits gracefully over top the building and mineral gardens, an iconic work of art that vibrates throughout the interior space. I hope that my casual snapshots have captured a bit of the experience, and I already have some great ideas for installation work that I plan to propose by the end of the summer. They are very open to bringing art into their space, something I believe many businesses would be wise to practice, as it makes for a creative, positive and inspirational work environment for all employees.

More about the building can be found here:  http://www.asminternational.org/portal/site/www/about-asm/materials-park/

from The MFA Guidebook for Studio Artists | Earning Extra Money: Student Art Sales

This post is taken from my crafthaus blog "The MFA Guidebook for Studio Artists" and was originally posted on May 28, 2013. To view the blog in its entirety along with reader comments, visit my Group on crafthaus, or join to stay updated: http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/mfaguidebook

Student art sales are a great way to help support yourself while you’re working toward your MFA. Not only will you earn some extra cash, but you’ll also get your name out into your local community and better understand concepts of pricing, marketing and production. You’ll begin to see what sells and you’ll learn more about your customers and how to appeal to them. Even if you’re not planning to go into retail or production work, creating this type of work is an opportunity to improve your technical skills, explore the commercial side of art and help build a greater community that understands and appreciates art – something that benefits all of us.

If your discipline or area does not yet have an organization that sells student work, you can be the one to start it up! Universities offer students the opportunity to create their own student organizations – search your school’s website to find out how. It’s usually free and requires minimal information such as officer names, a mission statement and a minimum start-up membership. Gather your classmates and make it happen! It can be within your specific discipline (ceramics, glass, printmaking, etc.) or more general (crafts disciplines, all art, etc.). You’ll also need a bank account for your organization and a credit card reader if you plan to accept credit card payments (a great way to increase sales!).

For example, I am a part of the KSU Jewelry/Metals Student Co-op. Our group includes undergraduate and graduate students and has officers such as president, treasurer, PR and secretary. A portion of our sales go back to the Co-op and we vote to use those proceeds toward needs for the studio, such as books for our library, or for student travel, such as to this year’s SNAG conference in Toronto. The students keep the other portion of their sales as profit. In order to encourage participation in the running of the sale, we have it set up so that those who do not help out split sales 50/50 and those who do help out split sales 75/25. It’s a great incentive to make sure we have enough people on duty.

To set up your sale, find a venue at your university and contact the appropriate department well ahead of time to reserve the space. Create a sign-up list for members to cover shifts at the sale, including set-up and break-down. Decide on how you will display the work. Ours is very simple – cloth table coverings, wood boxes to hold the jewelry and a banner with our organization name. The Co-op purchases additional displays that we share as well as jewelry boxes in bulk that members buy at the reduced price.

To advertise, we use social media, flyers posted on campus and our university’s website and newspaper. You can also look to low-cost advertising opportunities within your community to drum up business. In time you might decide to bring your sale to other venues or to participate in outside events. For example, KSU Co-op participated in a holiday sale at the Akron Art Museum last December and this summer we will have a booth in the Kent Art and Wine Festival. These events do the advertising for you and bring in a larger audience.

It’s very important to have a system to keep track of inventory and sales. We have each student label their pieces with initials and a number. Mine, for example, would read “JMT01, JMT02,” etc. Then the student fills out and turns in a corresponding inventory sheet that looks like this:

Inventory Sheet				Initials: JMT
Date: 5/28		Name: Jessica Todd
Inventory Check IN	Inventory Check OUT	Inventory #	Description		Price	Sold
X		JMT01	Sterling silver ring with garnet, size 7		$60
X		JMT02	Sterling silver ring with peridot, size 6		$60	X

Etc.

The Co-op then keeps a Daily Sales Inventory Sheet for all participants (in alphabetical order) for each day of the sale. As sales are made, they are marked as “sold” on the individual’s inventory sheet (above) and then the inventory number and price are recorded on the Daily Sales. At the end of each sale day, the treasurer totals all of the sales and ensures that our cash box, checks and credit card charges match up. After the semester’s sales have finished, the work is inventoried out and the treasurer calculates and writes checks to the sellers.

Date: 5/28		Daily Sales Inventory Sheet						Location: Art Building
Seller: CAS		Seller: DSM			Seller: JMT			Seller: RSG
Item #	Price	Item #		Price	Item #	Price		Item #	Price
25	$40	11		$25	02	$60		06	$80
17	$26							18	$60
								09	$75
Total: $66		Total: $25			Total: $60			Total: $215
etc.
Total Cash at Start: $100			Total Cash at End: $125 Total Checks: $100 Total Credit Card Charges: $241				Daily Total Sales: $366

I would love to hear from readers on this one! How does your student organization run sales? Do you have any tips for advertising, structure, display or special events? What have you found to be successful or not so successful? Thanks for your input!

from The MFA Guidebook for Studio Artists | The Application Process, Part II: The Interview

This post is taken from my crafthaus blog "The MFA Guidebook for Studio Artists" and was originally posted on March 25, 2013. To view the blog in its entirety along with reader comments, visit my Group on crafthaus, or join to stay updated: http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/mfaguidebook

THE APPLICATION PROCESS, PART II: THE INTERVIEW

You may have interviewed at your undergraduate institution or gone to some job interviews over the years, but chances are you've never done an interview quite like this. Your interview for an MFA program, and possibly assistantship or scholarship opportunities, is a really unique and important one.

First, why interview? Even if you've already been accepted it’s crucial that you have an interview before you decide, for both your sake and the program’s. The interview is where you will find out what can neither be expressed nor sensed on paper – whether or not that program is the right fit for you, and vice versa. Yes, it is primarily a time for the program’s faculty to get a sense of your preparedness but it is also an opportunity for you to feel out if you will be at your best there. As I discuss in one of my first articles, “Starting your Search” (http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/mfaguidebook/forum/topics/starting-...), it’s not just about getting into the biggest name school with the biggest name faculty, it’s also about feel. To quote myself, “In the end a graduate program is what you make of it, and you’re much more likely to make the most of an experience in which you feel comfortable, stimulated, encouraged and above all else, happy!” A conversation with a faculty member tells you a lot more about your potential experience than a website. And whenever feasible always plan a visit to interview in person with faculty, view the facilities and meet fellow graduate students.

So what should you expect? Begin by preparing yourself for the questions that may be asked:

• “Why do you want to attend graduate school?” This is pretty open-ended and seems innocent enough but it’s a big one. Reread your Statement of Intent/Purpose before the interview to refresh your memory. This answer needs to be better than, “because it would be fun,” or, “because I’m done with undergrad.” My article “So You’re Thinking About an MFA...” (http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/mfaguidebook/forum/topics/so-you-re...) has some good questions to consider when formulating this answer. If you’re coming directly from undergrad, they’re going to want to know if you’re really ready personally and artistically for this big step. If you've taken a few years off, they’re going to want to know what made you decide you were finally ready and the ways you've improved yourself, your skills or your portfolio during that time. Convince them that you've thought good and hard about it, you’re prepared and an MFA program is the only place you want to be.
• “Tell us about your work.” Be prepared to talk extensively about your work; this will likely be the bulk of the interview. Practice beforehand talking about your work in a clear, concise way. Have a family member or friend listen to your explanation – saying it out loud to another person is very different from saying it in your head. Reread your Artist Statement to get keywords and key phrases fresh in your mind. If you’re not confident about your Artist Statement, spend some time reworking it. I like this guide to writing an Artist Statement from Claremont Graduate University: http://www.cgu.edu/pages/7483.asp. Explain your processes as well as concepts and present your work in a fluid way so that discussion of one piece leads into the next.
• “What do you hope to achieve in/via graduate school?” Again, refer to your Statement of Intent. Brainstorm the ways you hope to grow in your artwork as well as professionally. Be clear about your objectives – Do you want to experiment with new media? With installation? With performance? Professionally, do you hope to teach? Do retail work? Show in galleries? If you’re not 100% sure, tell them that too. Being as upfront and honest as possible will ensure everyone is on the same page and there are no surprises later on as to what faculty are open to and expecting.

And some general tips:

• Don’t wait until the last minute. Schedule your interview well before decisions start getting made, which for Fall can be as early as February. Your application does not have to be complete. Contact faculty well before Thanksgiving break to find what works for them. Remember that nobody will be around during the three- to four-week winter break and the very beginning of the semester in January is typically a very busy time.
• Dress professionally. This is studio art so a three-piece suit may not be necessary but aim to look mature and professional. Just because you wear ripped jeans and a dirty t-shirt in the studio doesn't mean it’s appropriate for a graduate school interview. Your outfit can show your personality but also needs to inspire confidence in your competency.
• Bring your work. Along with a digital or physical portfolio, bring in actual work and even new/in-progress work that doesn't appear in your portfolio. Seeing work in person is a different experience and hopefully a better one, so make sure your work is ready for up-close inspection!
• Stay calm. Take a deep breath and try not to let your nerves get the best of you. Nobody is expecting you to be a perfectly articulate professional artist – if you were you wouldn't need graduate school! It’s okay to say, “I’m not sure exactly where this is headed but I’m excited to explore a new direction.”
• Stay positive. Let your enthusiasm for what you do shine through. An applicant who expresses great passion and self-motivation may beat out an applicant with a better portfolio but a blasé attitude. Talent only takes you so far and the faculty know that! Character plays a bigger role than you may think, especially when it comes to assistantships. The faculty are laying a lot on the line when accepting you into these small studio art programs – they need to know you can be trusted with the independence and responsibility.
• Be yourself. Don’t try to be the person you think they want you to be, or say the things you think they want to hear. It’s about finding the right fit for both parties. Sometimes people get so set on a certain program they change themselves or their expectations to make it work. I assure you this will only end in frustration and discontent down the line.

Additionally, prepare some questions to ask them! This will not only get you all of the information you need to make a decision, but it will also make you appear intelligent and invested. (Make sure to do your research first to avoid redundancy.) Some questions may be:

• What sets this program apart or makes it unique from other programs? (My favorite question!)
• What is the structure of the program/what classes will I be taking?
• Are you open to experimentation in ____ media or taking classes in ____ discipline?
• How long is the program?
• When will I have access to the studio? (weekly basis, over breaks, etc.)
• What sort of professional development is offered?
• What are some funding opportunities?
• For Teaching Assistantships, what classes would I be teaching?
• How would you recommend spending the next (7) months before the start of the program?

You should also meet with current grad students, privately – it’s the only way to get the real scoop. Keep in mind that some students may only have a negative experience because they chose the wrong place for them, so be sure to find out concretely why. Here are some questions you may consider:

• What made you choose this program over others and where else did you apply?
• Are you content in this program? Why or why not?
• Describe a typical day for you.
• Where do students typically live? What is the cost of living?
• How does the school or community help promote you professionally?
• What do you do for fun?

Overall, try not to get so caught up in selling yourself that you forget you are also shopping for a program. My professor, Kathleen Browne, describes it perfectly as a “three-year marriage” – both sides have to feel good for it to be right. I spend lots and lots and lots of hours in the studio and see Kathleen and especially my fellow grads lots and lots and lots... You get the idea. We’re human, we work long hours, we have our cranky days, but in the end I wake up looking forward to getting into the studio and working alongside them every day. We give each other feedback, we help each other photograph and set up shows and we provide each other with the moral support that’s needed to get through stressful days. From a professional standpoint, I know that I’ll be permitted and encouraged to do the type of work I want to do, and my program provides me with the experiences and resources needed to achieve my professional goals.

I have met and seen a lot of students (myself included) whose decisions changed drastically after a visit and interview. Make sure you take this vital step, all the while being true to yourself, before you make a final decision.

Below: Jessica Todd, Home (in situ), cotton, flour, water, 2013

from The MFA Guidebook for Studio Artists | A Note to Readers – Upcoming Features

This post is taken from my crafthaus blog "The MFA Guidebook for Studio Artists" and was originally posted on March 25, 2013. To view the blog in its entirety along with reader comments, visit my Group on crafthaus, or join to stay updated: http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/mfaguidebook

Dear readers,

Thank you for your patience as I chip away at this extensive topic! It is my goal to deliver valuable, well-researched, well-thought-out advice to all of you, so frequency of posts sometimes suffers. However, we are now nearing the coveted summer break (i.e. more blog writing time) and I want to share with you some ideas I have for the near future:

1. Faculty survey. As I began to write my article titled, “Demystifying the Portfolio,” I realized it was still somewhat of a mystery to me! I decided to create a survey on SurveyMonkey.com regarding the portfolio, along with some other admissions questions, to be completed by MFA faculty across the country. This way, participants can answer questions without feeling the pressure of being quoted. This survey will be coming soon! If you are current or former MFA faculty in studio art I would love to have your participation!

2. MFA Interviews. I want to conduct interviews of fellow studio craft MFA students to be posted on this blog. The written interviews will discuss the interviewee’s artwork, studio practices, future career plans and advice for prospective students, along with three to five images of work. To find the interviewees I will create an open call where any second- or third-year MFA student can apply for an interview, and selection will be on a first-come, first-served basis rather than via a jurying process. The focus of these interviews will be to develop a supportive community of emerging artists and a space to display work as a starting point for conversation, rather than a competition to be the “best”. As a current MFA student I often struggle to find this sense of community in our increasingly digitalized world outside of my own university.

If anyone would like to add to these two ideas or request a topic to be covered, please let me know in the comments section below! I would love to hear your questions, feedback and input!

~Jessica

from The MFA Guidebook for Studio Artists | Financial Breakdown, Part II: Paying for It

This post is taken from my crafthaus blog "The MFA Guidebook for Studio Artists" and was originally posted on February 23, 2012. To view the blog in its entirety along with reader comments, visit my Group on crafthaus, or join to stay updated: http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/mfaguidebook

FINANCIAL BREAKDOWN, PART II: PAYING FOR IT

Again, I just can't help myself with the puns.

This is the other half of the financial equation: You now know your expenses, so how will you pay for them? Like many college graduates, when I decided I wanted to go back to school I still had undergraduate loans to pay off. I knew that racking up too much debt would be detrimental to my future career and could even outweigh the benefits of attending an MFA program altogether. I considered several options to keep costs low and support myself financially: Live with my parents and attend a university nearby, attend a two-year program to get in and out quickly, choose a university in an area with a low cost of living, work at the university to receive reduced tuition rates, get an assistantship, earn scholarships or work a part-time job. In the end I chose a university in an area with a low cost of living and one where I received a Graduate Teaching Assistantship to pay for tuition plus a small monthly stipend. For extra income during the semester I sell my jewelry at small retail shows, local galleries and on Etsy. Along with picking up part-time jobs during breaks from school, this combination has allowed me to get by without taking out any student loans. There are times I wish I had the extra cushion but I know it is only a false sense of financial security that will need to be paid back plus interest. That being said, student loan debt is likely a better option than credit card debt or homelessness, so if you do need to take out loans, just remember to do as conservatively as possible.

After you calculate your expenses in Part I, break down how you will pay for these costs:

1. Scholarships and Grants – Sometimes it can be hard to motivate yourself to apply when it seems like a long shot, but somebody is going to receive them and that person could be you! This is money you do not have to pay back, a.k.a. the best kind of money there is! Many universities offer grants to their own students and provide information on outside sources online. Graduate Student Senates often offer travel and research grants to graduate students. Scholarship opportunities are frequently posted on websites such aswww.callforentry.org, Crafthaus and various craft organizations’ websites. Snoop around for scholarships specific to your field and keep a calendar of approaching deadlines.

2. Financial Aid – Having completed your undergraduate degree you are likely familiar with Financial Aid. Whether you plan on applying for aid or not, be sure to complete your FAFSA. Doing so may qualify you for certain need-based grants or scholarships. Keep in mind that graduate students are no longer eligible for Subsidized Federal loans, which are the lovely kind of magical loans that do not accrue interest during grace periods. Unfortunately we are only eligible for the interest-accruing sort, and interest can be shockingly high in comparison to your original loan amount. Tread ever-so-carefully when it comes to taking out loans. I can’t tell you the number of times I've heard someone exclaim, “I can go out tonight – my student loan came through!” Every time that thought crosses your mind, remember that five years from now your $30 night out is going to cost you about $50, along with every subsequent dollar you spent over your two- to three-year stint. If you can’t avoid loans, at least be as thrifty as possible when taking them out: Do not use them as an excuse not to apply for scholarships, get a job or live frugally. The “You” five years from now will thank you for the financial freedom to pursue the career you came for in the first place.

3. Assistantships – There are a lot of schools that offer full and partial assistantships to graduate students that may be in your department or in another department. Assistantships may cover 50-100% of tuition and some fees and may include a monthly stipend. Be sure to look into the exact reward for each program when calculating costs. There are Teaching Assistantships (like mine) where you simultaneously gain teaching experience, valuable especially if you plan to teach in the future. If you are interested in a TAship, ask which classes you will be assigned. Many programs have TA’s teach foundation courses such as 2D or 3D Composition, while others allow you to teach courses in your field. Find out if you will have a section of a larger class that meets less frequently or if you will be teaching the full class and how much responsibility you’ll have over the curriculum. This should match your comfort level as well. Part of the reason I chose my program is that I am able to teach in Jewelry/Metals, including upper-level classes. This is both stimulating for me and great on my resume. Other assistantship opportunities may be as a Research Assistant with a faculty member (a great learning and networking opportunity), assisting in studio maintenance and ordering (this is also a part of my job as a TA), or an assistantship with an on-campus gallery (great if you are interested in gallery work). An assistantship is an ideal way to bolster your resume while paying for school, but keep in mind the huge number of hours you will need to commit to your duties and your studio each week.

4. Working at the University – Some universities, usually public, offer reduced or free tuition to employees. Benefits may vary based on position and full- or part-time status but it’s worth looking into. Make sure that you speak to the program faculty about the number of hours you’ll need to commit to per week and if they have a time limit on completing your degree in case this implores fewer credit hours per semester.

5. In-State Tuition – Look at public schools in your state for reduced tuition rates based on your residency. Also, unlike undergrad programs, you will probably be able to establish residency at an out-of-state school during your first year of grad school and apply for the reduced tuition rates your second and third year. Be sure to look into how to do this right away.

6. Family Support – This loan may come with a high interest rate of prolonged parental control and unsolicited advice, but it could be a good option. If your parents are willing to fork over some cash to help with school, consider accepting. Even if you pay them back it most likely won’t be at the interest rate of federal or private loans.

7. Part-time Job – Most college campuses have a lot of options for part-time jobs with flexible hours to accommodate their student applicant pool. Just be prepared to put in a lot of hours between coursework, studio hours and your job.

8. Sell Yourself! – Your greatest resource is yourself! You can take this idea literally and head to the Plasma bank or model for a figure drawing class, or you can use your own best asset – your artistic skill – to make extra money. Whether it’s setting up an Etsy shop, making contacts at local galleries or getting fellow students together to do an art sale on campus, why not earn money doing what you do best? Not only can you make your own hours and be your own boss but you’re also improving your skillset, building a customer base, networking, finding out what sells, gaining confidence and learning valuable lessons about earning money in your field. Personally, this is my favorite way to make money. It gives me a taste of the career I’m working toward and I get to see people excited about what I do!

In conclusion, calculate your potential expenses and income for each program before you decide so that your final decision is an educated one. Once you do, be prepared to pare down on frivolous expenses and work your butt off for the next few years. And on those days when you want to throw in the towel and give up, remember that you’re doing what you love and that’s a whole lot more than most people can say.

As always, I welcome and encourage comments below! 

Below: Me at my first retail show, the Pleiades Annual Show and Sale in Bethesda, MD; Some of my retail jewelry; Fellow grad student Lori Gipson with our KSU Jewelry/Metals Co-op table at Akron Art Museum; Me and my fellow TA's after a long day cleaning the studio