Jill Sibio (Class of 2019)
Blogger Role: Sculpture
Major: MFA Visual Arts, Sculpture
I chose Marywood because of its art program and location. Being born and raised in Dunmore, I often heard about how great the art program was at Marywood. After completing my undergraduate studies at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, I was excited to be able to continue my education in a field I always wanted to explore at a campus so close to home.
I am majoring in Art because it’s something I always had an interest in. My fascination with “material culture” started in early childhood, when my dad would share his National Geographic magazines with me and I would marvel over the architecture and artifacts of other cultures, both past and present. This interest eventually led me to obtaining degrees in Anthropology and Art History. At Marywood, I was originally enrolled in the Master’s in Teaching for Art K-12 program. However, after taking many studio classes to fulfill my requirements I knew I truly belonged in the MFA program, where I could be doing hands-on work everyday to develop my own skills and interpret my ideas in a tangible, creative way.
When I’m not in class, I’m usually busy in my studio space in Insalaco! Whether I’m making molds, pouring plaster, or just reorganizing my supplies, I always feel simultaneously productive and peaceful there. When I do leave campus, I work part-time, but in my (truly) free time I enjoy traveling, cooking, binge-watching Netflix, and spending time with my family.
My favorite art class at Marywood so far was Jewelry/Metals I & II with Heidi Geertgens. I took her classes both fall and spring semesters this past year and fell in love with working with unfamiliar tools and materials while learning a completely new set of skills. I accomplished things I never thought I would physically be able to do (like forming jewelry and bowls from flat sheets of metal!), and the feeling you get from producing works of art you can wear and use everyday is amazingly satisfying.
The coolest thing I’ve done at Marywood so far was break out of my comfort zone. It sounds cheesy, but it’s true! Though switching programs was a big decision, if I never went through that process I would not be where I am today. I learned new techniques, refined my creative vision, and formed great relationships with my professors and classmates in the art department. I’m a firm believer that if you don’t take risks, you can’t reap the rewards.
When I graduate I definitely want to continue making art. Setting up a studio space at home would be ideal. In a perfect world, I would love to find a job where I can combine and apply my social science knowledge, love of research, and my formal art training.
I’d recommend the Art program at Marywood because the faculty is always looking for ways to make the college experience more beneficial to you. They encourage you to make connections between the course content and your personal interests and goals. The art department is full of professionals with great insight and knowledge who genuinely want to help you become more prepared for your future.
