[Jewelry making - Article 00037] - Re: [Orchid] Advice about BFAs programs

[Tina Wiltsie]

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>     You might look at University of Oregon. They have a very active
>     metals program. There's also SUNY New Paltz. 

    Thanks! I've been going back and forth on U of Oregon. It was on the
    list. Then it wasn't. Then it was. Then it wasn't. And I'm not really
    sure why. I'll probably end up at least visiting, since I have heard
    nothing but good things about it. As for New Paltz, I thought about
    it, but decided I want something a little further from home (it's
    only an hour and a half away from where I am now). 

>     They are hooked into a consortium of other colleges, so you can
>     attend one and take classes at another. If you are a Mass Art
>     student you can take classes at RISD, Simmons, Tufts and others. 

    Hm, I didn't know that. Do you know if you can earn a separate
    degree from those colleges as well, or just take classes? While
    jewelry is my priority, I am also passionate about Japanese culture
    and language. I've been debating on whether or not I want an actual
    degree, or if I just want to study the language. 

>     I opted, under extreme pressure, for a purely liberal arts
>     college. Big mistake. They had some studio art courses there, so of
>     course I took all I could. In my first class the instructor (a guy
>     named Alton Pickens) said bluntly, "If you're serious about art,
>     you shouldn't be here." Ahem. He was, of course, dead right. 

    That's what I've been trying to avoid. The trouble is finding a
    balance. So far, Tyler appears to be the best choice. It's still part
    of Temple so I could double major if I wanted to, but it is still by
    itself as an art school. Kind of the best of both worlds if you know
    what I mean. 

>     Remember to consider where you want to live as well. You have some
>     very rural places on your list. Are you in a city now? Would you
>     miss it? 

    This is one thing that I've been kind of going back and forth about.
    I'm more of a city girl, though I do enjoy a rural setting. I've been
    trying to focus more on the programs for now and then getting a feel
    for what the atmosphere is like when I visit. There are a few that
    have been knocked off the list because there was no way I could
    picture myself living there, but I'm generally trying to keep an open
    mind about it. 

>     My first project, the head of the department (not the teacher)
>     happened by during our first critique and made time to MAKE FUN of
>     my project. 

    Hm...that doesn't sound like a place I'd want to go...thanks for the
    information. I might still end up visiting, but it's never been at
    the top of my list anyway. The pig smell you mentioned is also a tad
    disheartening. 

    Thank you all so much for your advice and suggestions! It's really
    nice to hear from people that are actually living in the jewelry
    world. Usually when I tell people what I want to major in, I get a
    weird look and a response something like this: "Oh...well, good luck
    with that..." so it's helpful to get some real advice. Thanks again,
    and if anyone else wants to chime in, please do so.
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