On Nov. 1, STLCC-Meramec hosted its fourth annual Portfolio Review to help aspiring fine art students find direction and build bridges in their careers.
Kavahn Mansouri
-Editor-In-Chief-
In the first and second floor hallways of Humanities East, dozens of fine art students waited for their next appointments. Fellow students shuffled through the hallways while student artists presented their portfolios to representatives from colleges across the country. The abundance of conversation made it difficult to hear in the hallway and many of the students passing by often forgot to look and not touch.
On Nov. 1, STLCC-Meramec hosted its fourth annual Portfolio Review to help aspiring fine art students find direction and build bridges in their careers. Students are given the opportunity to set up appointments with college representatives to discuss their work. The review serves as a catalyst for artists looking for a four-year college or a career.
Fine art students Jennae Herring and Victoria Wayne sat on the bench on the second floor of Humanities East while waiting for appointments.
“You have no idea where you’re going. I think it’s nice being able to talk to different colleges and it kind of helps you figure out what you want to do because right now I don’t know what I want to do,” Wayne said.
Wayne said Portfolio Review is not just about showing the artist’s work but also for helping students find out what they can do with their work.
“I know I love it. I know I enjoy doing it. But it’s more what can I do with this,” Wayne said.
Herring said that artists often find different perspectives through building portfolios.
“I think it helps them get a new perspective on their work, it helps them to see all of their work, in front of them and on the wall, as a cohesive piece,” Herring said.
Before Herring could finish her thought she was approached by her next appointment. She quickly whisked away to her portfolio table and began her presentation.
Wayne said she encourages artists to not see each piece of artwork as a single entity, but as an addition to the grand scheme.
“Instead of seeing each piece separately, they realize they need to start building a portfolio where everything works together. Then it’s pointing in the direction they want to go in and it’s not just a piece from this class and a piece from this class,” Wayne said. “They need to look good together and they need to point to what field they want to go into.”
While most attendees to portfolio night are college representatives and students participating in the review, fellow students are also encouraged to offer their critiques to the artists.
Fine arts student Derek Fultz, who had presented in past portfolio reviews, returned this year as a spectator. Fultz said he believes the most important part about the review is that students are able to learn from each other through displaying their artwork.
“It is inspiring to have everyone’s work up at once and to be influenced by your peers. I think that’s probably the most influential thing about portfolio night,” Fultz said. “You’re able to talk to your peers and fellow students, you’re able to learn from them and they also learn from you.”
