22 year old art student seeking refuge in NM (Santa Fe, Taos: appointed, schools)

[Meggie127]

Hi guys, I'm a young art student in Savannah, GA. I have been extremely disenchanted with the big name art school I'm at- Savannah College of Art and Design. I've been very disappointed all three years I've spent here- the school is more of a financial institution than an academic one, and I enjoy the history and foliage of the city but still long for the west. I'm orginally from Oklahoma and I've visited Santa Fe and Taos several times; I can't seem to find much information on the college of santa fe vs. other schools in the area (or albuquerque) from a young students perspective. I'm highly interested in continuing my BFA somewhere in the area, but I'm looking for a place that isn't going to be all consumed by a bunch of partying kids. I know I'm going to find beauty in the landscape anywhere I choose in NM but I want a laid back place where people are maybe a little more forward thinking. I'm into the outdoors, arts and culture and good music, good times. Any one got any thoughts from this perspective?

[LLD]

College of Santa Fe has a decent website here: http://www.csf.edu/

And I think there are various websites that will compare colleges etc. Here's an interesting site that has student reviews... and there are a few on CSF.

College Reviews: StudentsReview : Over 52000 College Reviews! (3,156 schools reviewed)

[newmex]

Originally Posted by Meggie127

I'm highly interested in continuing my BFA somewhere in the area, but I'm looking for a place that isn't going to be all consumed by a bunch of partying kids. I know I'm going to find beauty in the landscape anywhere I choose in NM but I want a laid back place where people are maybe a little more forward thinking. I'm into the outdoors, arts and culture and good music, good times. Any one got any thoughts from this perspective?

Try Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas. My wife is acquiring her MFA there with a stress on printmaking and typography. Very nice and helpful people at TTU My wife stated that the professors ask what's going on in her mind, and have been helpful in fleshing out creativity in a constructive manner.

That was a stark difference to the cruelty of all those prima donna profs back at Kent State in Ohio, where my wife received her MA. I understand that Kent State is taking it on the chin from the corporate world and former grads there for for being a bunch of elitist creeps, using students as doormats.

Sorry, I just had to state that...I feel better now

Don't know much about Santa Fe's college. Now there's a place to go if you can afford to live there as a student! There is an elitist tinge in SF, but where theres money...

[designer]

What type of art are you focusing on? Maybe you mentioned but I am in
Santa Fe quite often and I'm not to sure about the art education there. It
is a big art town but most of the artists come from other parts of the country
to paint or whatever their speciality is. I studied art in California and Colorado
many years ago and then studied Architecture in Chicago so I could make a living. Now that I'm retired I live in southern NM and am painting. I hear a lot
of good things about the Art Student League in Denver but they do not give
degrees. It's patterned after the students league in NYC and they have some
really good instructors but I think it's emphasis is on painting and some
printmaking. For painting I think many artists just get a degree and then
take many workshops or something like the art students league in Denver.
You could probably call the Artisan supply store in Santa Fe and ask some
of the employees what they think of Santa Fe college and it's art program.
I'm not sure of their phone number but it's easy to find with google. They are
a busy art store so I would think some of the younger people who work there
might be attending one of the schools up there. Good luck. I always wondered about SCAD. I worked in Atlanta for 8 years doing design work
and made a trip or two down to Savannah. Tucson might also be a good spot. The U of A might also have a good art program. Don't forget Scottsdale. I would say it's second to Santa Fe's art market here in the
southwest.

[Idunn]

Yes, College of Santa Fe.
http://www.csf.edu/

Years ago I took a two day sculpture class there. Hardly a comprehensive experience, but you may find yourself in love with the ambience. Certainly worth a visit to assess how you feel.

As for Santa Fe and northern New Mexico, if you can't find inspiration there, art isn't you.