How does it feel when a door closes for good?

It came to my attention that the college I went to between 1978 and 1982 permanently shut down in June of this year, giving its students and faculty only 1 day's notice. Needless to say, it was extremely surprising!

Back when I was a student, the institution was known as the Philadelphia College of Art, or PCA for short. Following my graduation, it was rebranded as the University of the Arts, blending Performance Art with Visual Arts and Crafts.

In an instant, a 142-year-old institution of learning vanished! Just like that, dreams and aspirations of graduating from the school disappeared. My Aunt and Grandfather were both attended there. I possess his ink and watercolor sketches from 1917. They are displayed in my studio, and one of my Aunt's paintings adorns the hallway leading to the studio.

While some may argue that it was a frivolous education without a guaranteed job at the end, I hold a different opinion. I view it as a comprehensive education that motivated me to expand my thinking and gain a deeper understanding of the world. The diversity of perspectives during that time was truly enlightening. We would ask ourselves does this image have universal appeal.

Being a Fine Art Student allowed me to explore various mediums to express my creativity. I believed that the more I tapped into my creative abilities, the greater my success would be. Following in my family's footsteps, my Aunt achieved success as a hat maker at first and then as a sculptor, operating from a studio at The Torpedo Art Factory in Virginia. Similarly, my Grandfather established the American Insurance Company and was a strong supporter of the arts.

I have produced thousands of images, and I am pleased to note that many of them have enriched the lives of others. I have created something valuable that other individuals desired.

Soon, I will provide three complimentary classes through an email link. You will receive a line drawing and a color mixing lesson. After you submit your results to me, I will send you the following lesson along with a survey to gather your thoughts and feedback on the lesson. Send me an email to mca@marycarrollallenfineart.com if you have an interest in #Creattochill !

Express yourself with Art!

Thank you,

Mary Carroll

PS if you get a message from Mary 660140 it is not me. Facebook is investigating the imposter.