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Portfolio Day gives Feedback to Teen Artists - Buffalo News "NeXt"
by cnewman
Author Jenna Kersten is a senior at Mount Mercy Academy.
The life of a high school artist can be a challenging one, balancing the
seemingly endless drudgery of classes and assignments and
extracurricular activities with developed and expressive creative
projects. Then there's the snide, often-asked question: Do you actually
plan on studying art in college?
Transitioning into the mindset
of college and professional-level artistic ability may seem like an
insurmountable task to many students, who may already be questioning
their ability to succeed in an increasingly competitive art world.
But
accomplishing this is made easier due to Portfolio Day, an annual event
that was held last Thursday at Villa Maria College. Students are given
the opportunity to bring their portfolios, or bodies of work, to the
college to have them reviewed and critiqued by representatives from a
variety of other colleges and universities known for their dedication to
the visual arts. Colleges are looking for these portfolios when
considering students for admittance into their art programs.
Such
feedback is vital to teen artists, as it helps them to know their
strengths as well as specifying the skills they may need to work on
developing.
Midge Bishop, a senior from Mount Mercy Academy,
said, "I'm really interested in getting people's advice. I would love to
hear some new perspectives on what I've already done."
Junior
Rebecca Meszkiewicz of Holy Angels Academy adds, "I want to gain a sense
of where I want to go as an artist. Things can be so overwhelming. I'm
really looking for some direction."
Many art teachers see Portfolio Day as being a valuable experience, as well.
"I
think it's a great way for students to gain insight into what colleges
are looking for," says Robin Reczek, an art teacher at Holy Angels
Academy. "They can also be inspired by the work of other students here."
Senior
Maria Liegl of West Seneca East High School brought several pieces of
her work, mainly including fine art pieces such as still lifes and three
self-portraits, to be critiqued. "But I'm not self-centered, I swear!"
she jokes. "When I was a little kid, I was drawing everywhere - even the
walls! But since starting high school, art has given me an escape."
When
asked if her college plans include art, Maria says that she "really
wants [it] to. But everything's a bit vague right now. The pressure is
on."
Many of the other artists at Portfolio Day are also feeling
the pressure, but with the help of this advice from college
professionals about their work, they may be better equipped to face
those pressures.