Visual Arts Center

Five undergraduate students in the Department of Art and Art History recently proposed to, and received funding from, the College of Fine Arts' Doty Society Fund to travel to Los Angeles to supplement their education as studio artists at UT. Each is an active member of the Center Space Project, the student organization of the Visual Arts Center (VAC), and three work at the VAC.

Many aspects of the practice as an artist, such as maintaining a studio space, seeking gallery representation, and exhibiting work outside of the university are not topics clearly defined in classroom curriculum, and much of which is often not realized until one is well out of school. The group's purpose in taking this Professional Travel Initiative was to interview artists, curators, and institutions in and around Los Angeles to get a better understanding of the mechanics of the art world; and to learn more about what it takes to make a living as a successful commercial artist.

Through their video and audio interviews, respected artists, dealers and curators were questioned about their roles in the art world and why Los Angeles has become such a hot spot for contemporary art. A majority of these interviews will be posted on the group's upcoming blog.

Photo, clockwise from bottom left:
Vladimir Mejia, Freshman, Studio Art
Donnie Carver, Senior, Studio Art
Brooke Bamford, Junior, Studio Art
Linda Tsai, Junior, Design
Jade Abner, Junior, Studio Art