On this episode of the MFA Chronicles Podcast we talk with Sage Serrano. Sage is another artist in the cohort at San Diego State University. I ask Sage some get to know you questions starting with her plans for Thanksgiving, we learn of her love for Halloween among other fun facts. She tells us about her experience at in the MFA program at San Diego State University, why she applied, what she likes about it, and some advice for anyone thinking about going for their MFA. Sage also tells us about the importance her father has played in her life as an artist. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
On this episode of the MFA Chronicles Podcast we talk with Michelle Drummy. Michelle is my friend and cohort at San Diego State University. Michelle tells us why she is a bed potato and how much she enjoys watching The Office and true crime shows. I also ask her how she was able to balance working full time, getting her MFA, and getting married. She tells us why she wanted to get her MFA and what her experience was like at SDSU. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
On this episode of the MFA Chronicles Podcast we talk with Jordan Reeves. Jordan is another fellow cohort at San Diego State University with me. Jordan and I ended up having a lot to talk about. Since we are going to school during the pandemic we are not on campus as often and we miss out on the normal opportunities to catchup. We got into the relationship between sports and art, Jordan told me about his history as an athlete and when he started making art. I asked Jordan why he loves David Blaine's Balloon event. We also talked about his current practice as an artist and how the SDSU MFA program fits in with it. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
If you would like to learn more about Jordan please visit his website and Instagram:
On this episode of the MFA Chronicles Podcast we have a great conversation with Julie Hilboldt. Julie is currently an MFA at Fontbonne University in Missouri. We talked about being a student and artist during the pandemic, and what it has meant for her practice and studies. She also shared what her program at Fontbonne University it's like and why she chose to go there. I found Julie on Tiktok, she told us about her relationship with social media, what it means to her and how it's perceived by her professors. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
If you would like to learn more about Julie please visit her website and Instagram:
On this podcast we talk to Jennifer Moore. Jennifer is another friend and cohort at San Diego State University. Jen and I talk about her choice to go to SDSU for graduate school, what it's been like for her as a graduate student. We also talk about what it's been like making art during the pandemic and how it's effected her practice as and artist and student. Jen shares what she does when she has a creative block and what she does to decompress as an artist. I also ask Jen what her future plans as an artist are. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
This piece started during spring semester after San Diego State University campus closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I was looking for a way to maintain or create some sort of income as I was soon going to run out of financial aid money for the school year. Since it was and continues to not be safe to be in public due to the pandemic my options for making money were and continue to be limited. It did not take me long to think about the possibility of making masks to sell. This concept weighed heavily on me, as I was not trying to take advantage of the situation in a greedy way. At the time, there were a lot of people donating handmade masks to institutions in need. Unfortunately, I did not feel I had the luxury to donate my time and materials in this way. I decided to give up the idea of selling masks and made art instead. My first response was a small project where I made five masks. These five where an attempt to use art as a way to explore what was happening in our society, and how it was affecting me. Based on the feedback I got from the original five masks I knew I wanted to continue to explore making masks in this way. I was also able to reconcile the idea of selling masks by making them a pay what you can afford model. I let people know I was raising money for school and living expenses, while also wanting to support anyone who needed a mask by making them for whatever amount they could afford, even if it was only the price it cost to mail it to them.
Since the time of the original mask project more has happened in the world most notably the murder of George Floyd. These “Made In America” masks are designed to share with you some concepts and ideas that I have been exposed to and reflecting on over the past few months. I feel there are a lot of problems with our society especially as it relates to the pandemic and social justice. I also feel there are an equal amount and possibly more solutions to these problems. I want to express and share both what I see as problems and what I see as solutions.
These videos and photos are the first phase of this project. You can find all of these masks on eBay listed for auction. Ninety percent of the selling price will be donated. Forty-five percent will be donated to support Black Lives Matter https://blacklivesmatter.com/, and Forty-five percent will be donated to Artist Relief supporting artist impacted by Covid-19 https://www.artistrelief.org/. The remaining ten percent of the selling cost is to cover all expenses related to the project. The second phase of the project will conclude at the end of the auctions, I will be asking the purchasers of the masks to share why they bought them, and what they plan to do with them. The goal is to have them send me statements and pictures that will be complied and documented to share with you.
