The studio art program at Naz was built to help students become well-rounded artists that are versed in different studio areas, including digital art, drawing, painting, sculpting, metal-smithing, and more. Students form a solid education in their studio areas, while also having the ability to choose liberal arts classes, electives, a minor, and even take advantage of study abroad opportunities. Studio art majors explore different areas of study and pull them into their artwork to find their identity as an artist. I sat down with my friend Aurora DiMarco, a senior in the studio art program, to ask her about her experience, and how she ended up choosing Nazareth for her education.
Q: When you chose Nazareth, did you know you wanted to major in studio art?
A: Yes! I became interested in art during high school, and by the time I graduated high school I knew that I wanted to get an education in art and pursue it professionally.
Q: What made you choose the studio art program here at Naz?
A: I have family that went to school here, and when I saw the campus and the studios I just felt like I would belong here. The professors I met were helpful, funny, and really made a great impression, so I had no hesitation coming here. My ceramics professor, Mitch Messino, gave me my tour of the art department when I first looked at Nazareth. The second time I visited, Ron Netsky, my painting professor, and Mitch did an information session together about what the program was like and about the different classes. Both times I felt really welcomed, and they both made such a stressful time feel really relaxed and fun. Applying to college is such a crazy process, so it’s really important to find a place that feels like home, which I did! When I applied and had my portfolio review, it was with Mitch again, and I got accepted to the program!
Q: How has the studio art program here most benefited you?
A: I have been able to expand my work and my techniques while being here. With the different types of studios and classes offered, I was able to learn skills I never thought were possible, and I found out I was good at types and styles of art I hadn’t gotten to try out before, such as metal-smithing and darkroom photography.
Q: What are your favorite parts/What is your favorite thing about the Naz studio art program?
A: The availability of the studios, and the late nights in the studios with all the students working and helping each other. It’s so fun when everyone is in the studio together outside of class just hanging out together and working on different projects. It’s like a big work party! Most of my friends here are art majors so this became a very common occurrence, and walks to the Starbucks down the road became a fun adventure every time we wanted to get coffee so we can stay awake working even later.
There is also plenty of support from the professors. They push you but don’t try to break you. They see potential that you might not see in yourself, and they will go above and beyond to help you achieve what they know you can.
Q: Favorite project you’ve gotten to work on here?
A: My political piece in Digital Imaging that was a self-portrait/Dada assignment. Dada was an art movement that was sort of nonsensical and known for its use of collage-style composition. Our assignment was to create a self-portrait, and I took that to mean something that represented me. I was inspired to create a self-portrait that was more representative of the everyday woman who has to deal with societal pressures about her actions, appearance, etc. I took lyrics and photos and used Adobe Photoshop to create a cutout collage with words that my friends, myself, and other women in my life have heard going about their daily lives. The portrait is supposed to be a little haunting, and inspire the viewer to ask “Why?” and ask themselves what we can do to change sexism in our culture. I put so much effort and emotion into making it a bold piece that resonated with everyone in the room. It made it into the student show last spring and it made me love working digitally even more.
Q: Favorite class you’ve taken?
A: Jewelry and metal-smithing because of the hands-on nature and the excitement of hammering metal together, using acetylene torches, and making something to wear or display. It is something I actually want to continue even outside of college.
Q: Favorite non-art related thing about Naz?
A: I love the nature and the feel of the campus, there is a connection to nature and wildlife you can’t really get other places. We have Instagram accounts dedicated to the fox on campus and our unofficial mascot, the white squirrel!
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give, or one thing you would want incoming freshman and prospective students to know about the studio art program here at Naz?
A: Make sure this is the place for you to grow as an artist, and then push yourself. Naz is a great place to learn who you are as an artist with the multitude of classes that are offered, and because of that, I think it is a good place to find where you fit in in the art world and where you can go as a studio artist. It is a lot of work, but putting hard work into something you’re really passionate about and watching yourself and your friends improve is really rewarding!
Q: If you had to start all over again and pick a studio art program, would you still choose Nazareth?
A: Yes, Nazareth would definitely still be my top school. The support from professors and classmates and the style of the program both made it a great choice. I’ve gotten so much out of this experience so far, and I feel Naz has fully prepared me to enter the “real world” as a professional artist.