Alumna review:
Moore, the only all women's art college in…read moreAmerica will forever hold a special place in my heart, and it certainly helped shape me into the woman I am today. By no means was it easy, quite the opposite in fact, and it's certainly not for everyone, but it's an incredible place! You really get from it what you give into it....and it requires A LOT!!
The staff is wonderful. In fact, a text sent to me the other day by my former teacher 14 years after I graduated prompted me to write this review.
Michael Olszewski was my textile minor with an emphasis on print design teacher and was one of my favorite people on earth! He went above and beyond and would come in on his day off just to teach me a method of dying we hadn't learned yet, but one I wanted to try for my childrens' wear collection. He was also there to listen to me talk about life in general when I needed him to. A true gem.
Janice Lewis, Linda Wisner and Lori in the fashion department are top notch. At times they became a second mother to me when I needed, but make no mistake, they take no crap. 2 absences, you fail. Done. These ladies will get you where you need to go. Their talent, knowledge of the industry and connections are unreal. They helped me score an internship with Betsey Johnson in New York City. I won awards form Tyvek, Ralph Lauren Accessories, Frank Agostino and Urban Outfitters. They are just a few of the guest designers who judge our collections!
While at MCAD I met fellow alum Adrienne Vitadinni and Mark Badgley and James Mischka, Todd Oldham, and Betsey Johnson!
Each year I attend their annual fashion show at The Barnes and you would be astonished by the talent! It's open to anyone so, go ahead!
I was also given the sweetest intern from MCAD a few years back for my small business. The relationships are everlasting, both personal and professional.
I secured a job in my field (besides my internships with Betsey, Chloe' and Motherwork Maternity here in Philly) within a month of graduating. I was a merchandiser for H&M for 6 years before opening my own business while staying at home to raise my daughters. Everyone I graduated with works in their field. Here, in LA or in New York. Have no fear about job placement.
If you make it through your first basic year where all students are required take the same classes including 8 hour basic drawing and design classes etc, you're golden and can move on to focus on your major, and even take a minor which I highly recommend especially if they can go hand in hand such as fashion and textile which is what I did, and worked out beautifully. Unfortunately the textile department is no longer there, but you get my point.
At MCAD you not only focus on your major and your art based classes, but are required to take general studies with exams and papers too. These classes however are unique such as women in religion, film studies, history of fashion and art history etc. My art history classes with the incomparable Kevin Richards gave me knowledge for life!! It gave me the background to truly appreciate visiting Firenze and the Ufizzi gallery, de Medici family grounds, the duomo in Milano, and The Pieta at the Vatican etc. I don't think I would be able to
fully take it all in without the knowledge I had gained in my classes. I even use my design techniques everyday for something as simple as decorating my own home.
The buildings are immaculate and kept very safe with security guards and badges for all visitors. Their galleries often host not only student work, but visiting artists as well.
You can't get a better, safer, location than Logan Circle. The Barnes, The PMA, even The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (where we often took a trips to draw perspective) for inspiration right there. You're right in the middle of it all. Excellent section of the city.
I lived in Sartain for my first two year on a picturesque tree lined street across the way and I think that's the way to go. It gave me a taste responsibility without extreme freedom and set me up for living on my own my last two years. It was nice to have access to the studios and have work space on each floor also.
I knew Moore was where I belonged. It's the only school I applied to and I personally think it's the best art school in the entire city. My best advice to any potential students would be to take a summer class with Young Artist Workshop and definitely take the business classes. Don't give it being all female a second thought. It was so nice not having a distraction and coming to school in pjs if we wanted. :) The boys at Penn & Drexel weren't that far away and it was really like one big sorority here. I made great girlfriends for life and having graduated from MCAD makes me so proud, and makes us all bonded for life. We all knew what went into that final day. No one else will ever understand. It's like no other.