Suggestions For Art Students

Lauren Purje - Artist

Well I think I will always be an art student in the sense that though I am no longer attending University studying Fine Art, I still am always learning and intend to do so for the rest of my days.

But I do remember well, my early youth as a 21 year old art student at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax in the 70s. To say it was a wild time would be an understatement.
Although I wanted to learn all about art, I can't say I was the best student because my motivation wasn't the most well intended.
I was preoccupied, with wanting to escape my small Nova Scotia town, for the city. I was interested in boys and parties; not good way to start off University life and studies.

Upon returning to school in 2009, at Mount Allison University, in Sackville, New Brunswick, as a mature student at 56 years of age, needless to say my perspective had  profoundly changed. What hadn't changed was that I observed the same kind of behaviours that I displayed, when I was first a young art student.

I am not one to give advice but I will give suggestions, if asked. I've not been asked, but I will speak from my own experience if I had it to do over again, and ask, what would I say to my young 21 year old self? Here's my list.

1.Wait until you are really ready to attend University.

2. Don't go to University for the wrong reasons.

3. Don't drink excessively.

4. Don't abuse substances.

5. Stay clear of getting emotionally involved with boys.

6. Make sure you are disciplined or know how to apply yourself without getting distracted by the social life,     especially parties where there is lots of booze and dope.

These cartoons simplify some important suggestions to those who are either thinking about studying art, or who are about to begin their studies in the coming Fall.

I don't believe in luck, so instead of wishing all those young art students luck, I'll say, I will pray for you!
And for those of you that are looking to Grad school...you need some serious prayer!

"I Will Not Make Any More Boring Art"

I thought in light of Gary Neill Kennedy's recent publication of The Last Art College , it would only be right to post this video about John Baldesarri.

Tom Waits is my very favourite all time musician and songwriter/balladeer. I just love him and have followed him since the early 70s. When I was living in Toronto I got a chance to see him. Man that was some kind of show, I'll never forget.

The audience was full of every kind of personality and lots of folks living on the fringes. I sat with two strippers and the bouncer from Le Strip, the strip joint on Young Street who were brown baggin' it and offered me a swig. I thought it might be rude to turn the offer down, and I figured just added to the ambiance!

Gary Neill Kennedy " The Last Art College "

Today I heard interview on CBC Radio, Information Morning, with Gary Neill Kennedy , the past president of  NSCAD. He has just released his recently published book, The Last Art College - The MIT Press
Listening to Gary Kennedy talk and read, I felt nostalgic for those days during the early 70s at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. I also felt proud to know I was a part of this great school during this time like no other.

Perhaps because it was that particular period in history, when so many of us were questioning the meaning of art and that significant sociopolitical changes within the world where taking place, this translated into our art making and greatly contributed to the iconic myth of the 70s, that was and is still very much NSCAD.

I don't know if we didn't make any more boring art, that the great John Baldassari had students write out on the walls of the Anna Leonowens Gallery , but the Art College was definitely not boring. It was one of a kind experience, where you could make any kind of art, our imaginations were unlimited and the relationship between faculty and students was egalitarian. You knew your professors and they knew you by name.

 

 Coburg Road Saint Andrew's United Church Hall Building

When I first started out in 1971- 1972, the "Art College", which it was mostly referred to back then, was located on Coburg Road, in the large four story Saint Andrew's United Church building, before we made the big move to downtown Halifax, in 1978.  It was an intimate space, with a tight knit community of artists and  about 600 art students. I missed out on this protest by three years!

I remember the first day I walked in to the building, having so much anticipation, nervousness and excitement . I knew it was going to be something special I would remember for days to come .

You never knew who or what you were going to see or do and that made it very exciting. It was the best of times and the worst in many ways for me, but I don't once ever regret my four plus years there. I learned an immense amount, had some incredible teachers, wonderful life long friends and memories. I met some great artists and saw some great art.

Feminism, The Second Wave, was at it's height in the 70s and most of the female artists there had a fight on their hands. It was an education in and of itself!

NSCAD Downtown Location

Anna Leonowens Founder -Victoria School of Art

 
I like to believe that the passion and commitment we all felt toward art is still a deeply embedded within NSCAD students, the historical walls, beyond buildings and conceptual or traditional art but is an essence and spirit that continues to thrive not in spite of, but because of our NSCAD history.

 
Sadly I am afraid NSCAD is under threat and may very well be the canary in the coalmine in a culture obsessed with money. Lets hope not and if so we need to know Nova Scotia needs NSCAD.