Well, here it is...the long awaited first entry. I have indeed, after many requests, decided to keep a blog documenting my time at RISD (pronounced riz-d and short for Rhode Island School of Design). For those of you unfamiliar with the institution here are some details.
The school was founded in 1877 “for the purpose of aiding in the cultivation of the arts of design." The 2500 students can choose from 16 majors ranging from painting to textile design to sculpture. Only a sidewalk separates the RISD campus from Brown University and students from each are free to take classes at either institution. It is a small, encouraging community with great ties to the global art scene. So far nothing but good things to say about the school and the students.
For the fall semester I am taking three classes: the first-year grad furniture design studio, a welding class with an emphasis on furniture design, and a seminar class entitled Art and Design: Interdisciplinary Collaboration. I don't have class on Mondays or Wednesdays but don't imagine that those days are not busy. If the last two weeks are any indication, I will pretty much just spend them in the studio working on an impossible number of projects. There are six other students in the first-year program - three guys and three girls - and all come from a variety of backgrounds. We have a nice woodshop that we share with the undergraduates but we each get a small cubicle-like space to store our junk. Most of the guys come in with professional Crafstman tool chests full of gadgets so I have done my best to clutter my space to make it look like I am just as armed.
My sister, Mallory, and I are sharing a small two-bedroom on the Eastside with her cat Quigley. Both the local trolley and the RISD/Brown safe ride bus pick up and drop off right in front of our door. Unfortunately, they don't run very often so I plan on riding my bike for the most part. I have an ongoing challenge with myself to carry impossible loads in my bike rack - I am sure this year will present some interesting trips.
For all of you who have dreamed of attending art school, who love building things with your hands, hopefully this blog will inspire you. For all of you who get stressed out thinking about sleepless nights spent furiously working, I'll do my best to make it all look effortless!
3 comments:
So glad to hear from you and pleased that you have set up the blog thing. It was very helpful when you were in India. I have been getting news from Glenna and Teri, but not much. I am hoping to hear enough about your classes, in Design particularly, to learn a lot of things I need to know. Love, Gma B
mic!
love it. your blog will be the first to which i will subscribe. the picture is beautiful.
miss you. and incredibly proud of you. seeing you at north bennet this summmer was pretty cool.
besos from texas.
Ah yes, how I enjoy this connection...keep up the lovely labor!
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