Madison Kelly (Class of 2024)
Blogger Role: Sculpture/3D
Major: Art Therapy
Clubs: Marywood Players and Transfer Student Association
I chose Marywood because it was one of very few schools that had both a Bachelors and Masters program for art therapy. When I came to visit I absolutely fell in love with the studio spaces and the campus does look very pretty when the weather is nice.
I am majoring in Art because I absolutely love art, it has always been a big part of my life and who I am. Art had a big part in helping me understand and work with my dyslexia. Art allows me to express myself which is very important to me. It also can help many people who are struggling and I love being able to help people.
When I’m not in class, I’m either in the ceramics studio or the PAC (The Sette LaVerghetta Performing Arts Center). Theater is another form of art that I have always loved. I love doing both the performance and tech side of theater. I’m often in the theater helping out with shows, specifically doing costumes. 3D mediums are definitely my favorite form of art which is why I love ceramics so much. If I have free time I usually try to spend it in the studio creating.
So far, my favorite art class at Marywood was definitely ceramics. Mark Chuck is a wonderful professor and very helpful with teaching the techniques. He also helps you develop your own unique style and focus. I have always loved working with clay and this course is just so much fun for me.
The coolest thing I’ve done at Marywood so far was realizing that I’ve done a lot of really cool things at Marywood. I’ve made a lot of wonderful artworks that I’m really proud of and I’ve participated in many events and activities that I adore. If I had to choose one thing to be the coolest I’d have to choose participating in the Children’s Theater show here at Marywood. Children’s Theater is a performance that the Marywood theater department puts on in the spring. It is a show specifically for children and the local schools are able to bus their students over to our theater so they can see the performance. For some kids this is their first and only exposure to theater, which is a very important form of art, and they absolutely love it. Children’s Theater used to be a long standing tradition here at Marywood that someone decided to stop doing some years ago. Luckily last year Dr. Houser had decided to bring it back and we did the show Jack and the Beanstalk. This was a show I helped with the costuming a little bit but I also performed in it and was lucky enough to play Princess Tulip. The kids absolutely loved the show and were so excited to interact with us after the performance was done. I don’t think I’ve ever smiled as much as I did when interacting with those kids and seeing the joy they got from our performance.
When I graduate I plan to go on to get my Masters in art therapy so I can become a practicing art therapist and hopefully help a lot of kids. I will also continue to make my own art as often as I can and maybe sell some pieces along the way. If I’m lucky I will also be able to continue doing some costuming work for theater.
I’d recommend the Art program at Marywood because the art professors we have here are so kind and helpful. They do really want to help you develop your technique and see your unique style grow. They love seeing their students passionate about their work and want to help you become successful artists. They want to see your passions flourish in your art. The studio spaces we have here are also amazing and so beautiful. We also have 24/hour access to the studios which is great.