[Jewelry making - Article 00303] - Re: [Orchid] BFA/MFA Vs technical training

[Nanz Aalund]

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Dear Liz,

    I am someone who has done both. My advise: do both! Before getting my
    BFA I served an apprenticeship and took technical workshops. My BFA
    and MFA where separated by a 25 year career as a bench jeweler,
    jewelry production director, GIA student, jewelry industry designer,
    freelance designer, and college instructor. 

    Colleges & Universities focus on an education in creativity and the
    arts. Technical schools focus on proficiency with technique not
    creativity But without both and the experience gained through both I
    may not have ended up as a writer and editor for a jewelry arts
    magazine. 

    The more diverse your training and experience the better you will be
    prepared to take advantage of opportunities as they present
    themselves. 

    Don't worry about the bills, there will always be bills, and there
    will always be money (or scrap to sell off) to pay the bills. You
    already seem pretty fearless by having got yourself through a
    technical training program in Peru, so don't stop now! Maybe pick up
    some design classes cheaply through a community college while working
    as a bench jeweler for a repair shop or manufacturer or seek work as
    a studio assistant to an Art Jeweler who is selling at the ACC or the
    Buyers market shows while finishing your degree. 

    There are so many options in this field that thinking there is only
    one path or track that is the right one is too limiting. The truth of
    this was expressed by the metals professor emeritus Helen Shirk, who
    recently said at a lecture, "there is no path, the path is where you
    walk." 

Nanz Aalund
Associate Editor / Art Jewelry magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle / Waukesha WI 53187-1612
262.796.8776 ext.228
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