I received a call this morning from the College. They wanted clarification on my application and as I understand it they want to know why I would continue to study sculpture in an MFAIA when it is apparent that I have pretty much mastered that. Well tell that to the colleges that I applied for teaching positions at. One college said, "We can see you are a master sculptor but do you have masters degree?" And so I know that I have to have at least 18 hours in the areas that I want to teach at. So here is what I sent for clarification.
What do I mean by 18 hours of study in three different discipline? Coming from Vermont College I am very familiar with the type of study and narrative evaluations that are given at the end of each semester. Before applying to Goddard College, I contacted Phillip Robertson and told him that as I reflected on my future, and taking into consideration that I might like to teach at the college level, I am aware that my transcripts will need to indicate that I have a minimum of 18 hours of study in the areas that I want to teach. Philip suggested that along with the narrative evaluations Goddard could offer “course equivalence” to satisfy those requirements. The three areas that I might like to teach in are 1. Studio art-sculpting 2. Graphic arts 3. Writing. Therefore, to plan for my future and the evaluation of my transcripts by different universities that might hire me, I want to be sure that the appropriate amount of hours and the direction of my studies are reflected in a “course equivalence” as well as narrative transcripts. I do hope this answers questions one.
How do I see my growth as a creative person in the MFAIA program?In my undergraduate work at Vermont College, I did quite a bit of sculpting and worked with empathy. It was at the very end of my study at Vermont College that I had some major breakthroughs concerning emotion in art, sculpting, and transferring emotion through posthumous sculpture. I would certainly like to leave myself open for anything new that might come up with that, as research on empathy is a growing area. Sculpting will most certainly be a part of my study at Goddard since I will need to satisfy “course equivalent time” as mentioned in the answer to question one. There is still opportunity for education and growth in the area of sculpting as I am beginning to incorporate newer technologies into the sculpture studio. However, there is so much more that I want to do at Goddard.
If you were to look at my creative life from the outside it would look extremely scattered, but somehow all the creative things that I am doing are very interconnected. For example, sculpting digitally in the computer is a huge undertaking and very different than traditional sculpting. The study and documentation of this for Goddard and for the book that my husband and I are writing for Focal Press, “Digital Sculpting with Mudbox Essential Tools and Techniques for Artists” will occupy some of my time at Goddard. It is my goal to bridge the gap between digital and traditional sculpture. This is the time to do that because there are some marvelous advancements that are happening in this field. Along with writing the book, I will be writing regular articles on these new advances and how they pertain to the traditional sculptor. This research and writing will also be a part of my study.
As mentioned in my application, I’m also interested in trying to advance my illustration skills, though again, this will be done using digital art, an entirely new process for me. While learning these techniques I will be illustrating a few of the children’s books that I am working on.
The above should satisfy my desire to obtain the appropriate number of hours or “course equivalence” of study enabling me to teach the disciplines of computer graphics and studio art at a college level. The final aspect is my writing. I truly want to step out a bit further with my writing. It is true I am a published writer, but I am beginning to venture into new areas, writing for more high profile magazines as well as taking the steps to satisfy my desire to write memoir and work on more books for children. Therefore, I would like my study to reflect this as well and in turn satisfy my third criteria of “course equivalence” for writing.
If all of the above creative endeavors are not enough —the list continues. Besides writing, art, and graphics I am also producing video and audio. Typically I am creating 3 podcasts a month and have set a personal goal to create 12 videos a year. The podcasts and the videos, as well as the things I write about, are things that I am curious or passionate about. For example, this month I had to read books on alternative treatments for children with ADHD for queries that I have submitted to major magazines. Meanwhile, I read a book on grief for a podcast along with a book on cutting for a future podcast. I am also reviewing two computer programs for inclusion in the Mudbox book, and may review these programs for major major magazines. I have no doubt that once I review the programs and learn them, I will most likely create videos to show others how to use them. I am extremely passionate about sharing knowledge and do so in many ways—writing, podcasts and video.
My podcasts and videos educate, but they also help to promote either my fine art http://www.creativesculpture.com or my God’s Word Collectible gift line http://www.godsword.net . I do hope you can see the many creative outlets I have in my life and the many different ways these are all connected. It may be a challenge defining my study at Goddard, but I’m up for that challenge. Each area, learning digital sculpting and other graphics tools, podcasting, video, and finally pushing past my own self imposed limits as a writer will be a challenge, but I’m open for that challenge and the learning process that will go along with it. Thanks once again to Goddard for honoring the entire creative self and giving me the opportunity to push my study further through graduate school.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Bridgette Mongeon
