Bryn Pennetti
Reporter
For some students, thinking about applying to college provides a sinking feeling in their gut. But besides the forms and interviews, students wishing to attend an art school have a whole different nerve-wracking experience. With thousands applying to major art schools each year, and only a few hundred getting in, the portfolio is the deciding factor.
Three students, both in and out of NCHS, have gone or are going through this process currently. Sophomore Olivia Healy has high hopes in applying to an art school across the pond in England, junior Izzi Schipper is busy now, gathering her artwork, and NCHS class of 2011 alumni Casey O’Neill is enjoying his first year at Montserrat College of Art.
A common element is creating a portfolio which exemplifies the artist’s work. Casey, Izzi, and Olivia started their portfolios in late sophomore year. “I had all kinds of art in my portfolio, but mostly sculpture,” Casey said, who sold some of his sculpture work to the school just last year.
“Sculpture work differs from flat artwork because it needs to be photographed differently,” Silvermine Art Instructor Nancy McTague-Stock said. “It needs to be photographed at the best angle and on a solid, colored background.”
Casey ensured his position for art school by attending outside classes as well. “Take as many art classes as possible, in school and out, and get good recommendations from your main teacher or professor,” he recommended.
Olivia and Izzi also took outside classes in places such as the Silvermine Art Guild for classes like fashion design and figure drawing. “I used some of these courses for credit towards applying for Advanced Studio Art at the high school,” Olivia said.
“These programs gave me some insight into my own strengths and weaknesses,” Izzi said. “They let me know that in fact I do not want to major in fashion design.”
All three of these students also stress the importance of using art programs at NCHS to their advantage. “I was in AP Studio Art,” Casey said, “And colleges do take notice of that.”
“I know it will give me more options to work on things for school and for my portfolio,” Olivia continued.
NCHS also provides a plethora of adult guidance available to the budding artists. “I have spent a lot of time talking to adults to gain insight into the art school process,” Izzi said. “I have had multiple discussions with the art teachers at school as well as instructors from Silvermine,” continues Izzi. “I have even asked my parents’ friends for their opinions and experience with the art world. Any information that you can soak up is great to help you form your own perspective and opinions.”
As each student drifted further towards the application process, they began looking at schools that factored in where they wanted to be and what they wanted to do. “I have lists of schools I’m going to visit in England,” Olivia said. “But Fashion Institute in New York is also a possibility because I like design.
Izzi also expresses interest in east coast schools such as Pratt, Parsons, the Maryland Institute College of Art, Corcoran College of Art and Design, and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). “I really based my college search on geography,” she said. “I knew I wanted to stay in cities, and I basically thought about where I would be willing to live.”
Casey considered RISD as well, along with the Ringling College of Art and Design, but eventually settled on Montserrat where he currently majors in sculpture.
But what these three students really have in common is their devotion to the creative arts. No matter the college, at the end of the day, these students and their fellow artists mainly want to pursue their passion. “I love art because it is the best way I can think of to express my opinions without limitations,” Izzi said.
“Art is my life, I love it,” Casey said. “I make art to invoke a reaction, and to add a little wonder to the world.”
