Over 40 and applying for MFA in sculpture

[CLee]

Hello, I am definitely older than the average student applying for my MFA in sculpture. I am not an accomplished artist as I was a designer for years but have BFA from SVA in NYC (1998). Therefore, I have a series of work that I have recently restarted my art career. Has anyone ever known, been accepted etc of any other artists in my situation. I feel that odds are against me given my age BUT my art is strong and I believe life experience have some value in art making. Any responses are appreciated. Thank you!

[kafralal]

Hi CLee,

 

I'm also over 40 and applying this year. There have been a few threads that address this and some older applicants have posted both their age and where they got accepted.

 

[tabbykiki]

I'm 35 and applying this year. Don't worry about age. It's just a number.

[Bird dog]

Hi Clee,

Here's my story, which should make you feel better as I feel the deck is stacked so far against me I might as well give up now!

 

I'm 45.  I graduated with a BA in 1990, Majoring in Economics, Biology, and a Minor in Chemistry.  Because of my lab classes which interfered with the core Art Studio classes at my school, I had to do independent study painting for 4 years, including one semester with a newly minted MFA instructor who hated anything that wasn't abstract (I'm a figurative expressionist).  I then went on to Medical School and Residency at Dartmouth and practiced medicine until 2010 when I just couldn't stand it any longer.

 

The fact of the matter is that by my Senior year in College, I realized going to Med School was a horrible mistake and I should have devoted myself to a career in art from the get go.  But the die was cast.  I was so miserable by my second year of med school, my tiny apartment turned into painting studio, its small balcony a sculpture studio, and my bathroom was a darkroom.  I had a stack of MFA applications, all filled out and had my portfolio slides prepared.  

 

However, I made a deal with the Devil:  If I passed the medical Board exam, I would continue on my chosen path.  If I failed, in my imagination at least, I was off to RISD!

 

I passed the medical boards with flying colors.

 

This singular decision, to continue with medicine, has made me, and everyone around me, absolutely miserable. 

 

Over the years, between marriage, work, kids, and divorce, I've been able to continue painting and even managed to get work into a few juried exhibitions, but have been unable to find the time for any formal training.  Therefore, I have only one or two artists who can offer me recommendations for grad school, and a portfolio with work that spans several years, rather than a block of recent work, although I am rectifying that situation.

 

So, from the glass half full perspective, over the years I have honed my style, have a definitive conceptual orientation, know more about art theory and art history than one has a right to know, and am an expert in anatomy as I dissected my fair share of cadavers.

 

The downside is I am 45, broke (from the divorce), and because of my kids, am limited to either low residency or only programs in VT, NH, ME or MA.

 

Sorry for the long post, but I'm feeling a bit lost.  One question for the community, is should I just focus on building a portfolio this year, and apply next year instead?

 

Thanks,

 

Jim

Edited December 3, 2013 by Bird dog

[kafralal]

I think much depends upon what your portfolio says about your work and how it relates to contemporary concerns (art and otherwise), anatomy etc. meaning, how and what you are thinking in and through your work, and how you reflect on it in your statement. Style is not a particularly contemporary concern and art history is broad, so those statements aren't very helpful.

The combination of being broke and needing to do low-res is a significant problem to overcome.

[Bird dog]

Thanks kfralal for your insight.  I think at this late stage in the game, I am going to put applying off for a year.  I want to develop a better portfolio.  ALso, I think I need to reconsider the low Res option.  I do much better in a traditional community of artists.