Hello All!
My name is Becca, and I am a sophomore majoring in fibers and material studies. I grew up in Cleveland, OH, which is very similar to Syracuse. Cleveland has very similar weather patterns, and is also just a little bit smaller than a big city. Both of these factors were really important to me in choosing SU. I love big cities, but the community that a smaller city offers is invaluable.
I have been so happy at SU for a lot of reasons. The art program is absolutely amazing! I have had so many amazing professors that have helped me grow as an artist and as a person. In all of my classes, I definitely feel like I have a voice, I never have to hesitate to ask questions, and I am encouraged to take my work in new directions. Also, students have access to pretty much all of the studio equipment, and the Comstock art building (Comart) has amazing facilities. Comart is home to the studio arts and has ceramics, fibers, floor looms, printmaking, sculpture, metals, and wood shop. It is great to have all of these different types of art processes happening in one space, because it really creates a great community of artists. Everyone is always eager to help, give advice, and teach new processes. I have made some of my best friends just from spending so much time in the studio!
I decided to become a fibers major because of an intro to fibers class I took last year as a freshman. I fell in love with processes like felting, knitting, sewing, dying, and soft sculpture. One of my favorite things about fibers is that it is applicable to almost every medium. My major is probably one of the more difficult majors to describe because it is so extensive and very personal. My studio-mate, Tim, and I even have different ideas about what our major means. Fibers, is often described as a mix between fashion and sculpture-but believe me, it extends so much further than I have even discovered.
Another great aspect of SU, is that I am in art school, but I still have all of the opportunities of a university. I was never strictly an "art person", so it is really important for me to continue to take academic courses. Academics not only fuel my art, but also give me a break from 4 1/2 hour studios. Also, I have made a lot of friends outside of the art school, which I think is very valuable. It is important for me to be able to step outside of my work, so having activities and friends outside of art is a great way to broaden my horizons, keep me grounded, and allow me to break out of my routines.
To give you an idea of what I do everyday, here is my schedule for this semester:
Tuesday: 8-12:30-Intro to Floor Loom
7-9:45 PM- Intro to EEE (Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises)
Wednesday: 1:30-6- Intro to Relief Printmaking
7-10- TA for Contemplative Arts in Society
Thursday: 1:30-6 Intro to Painting
I'll tell you guys more about my classes in my next blog!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
-b.
