Gayle Bair on mon 15 jan 01
Diane,
You would only be completely crazy
if you didn't follow your plan.
I began my clay career at 50.
What a sorrowful bundle I would
now be if I hadn't!
Go for it!
Gayle Bair-Bainbridge Island WA
Diane wrote>
Dear Clayarters:
snip>
I plan to go to grad school at age 51.
Am I completely crazy to do this?
All opinions are needed!
diane in Georgia
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vince pitelka on mon 15 jan 01
> Having received a great amount (and quality) of advice on
> studio cleanliness obsession, try this one:
>
> I plan to go to grad school at age 51.
> Am I completely crazy to do this?
If you have a desire to, and if you can manage it, then you would be crazy
not to.
Best wishes -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@dekalb.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
TONICLAYS@AOL.COM on tue 16 jan 01
Dear Diane and anyone else thinking of going back to school, It happened that
I went to finish my Masters Degree (I was in Theatre at the time) when my
daughters were only 4 and 5 years old. Everyone thought I was crazy except my
good friends and my husband. It worked out fine, sure it was hectic. But I
have never regretted it. When its right in your head and your heart, its
right for you.Same reason people climb mountains, go sky diving, or whatever
else they have always wanted to do. Best wishes. You never know what you are
capable of until you try. Toni Smith
Jean Cappadonna Nichols on tue 16 jan 01
Diane,
I was delighted to hear that someone else has those same yearnings to enter
into the educational system as a MATURE student, as I did back in 1994 at the
ripe age of 53. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. It took me 30
years to complete my BFA in drawing (intervening life circumstances) but in
my last semester (1988), I took a clay course and I knew I wanted more...! In
1994, an opportunity presented itself to my husband and I and we both went
back to school. Larry became an attorney and I completed my MFA in ceramics
and am now a bonafied, practicing clay sculptor! It was a dream I never
expected to achieve but I wouldn't think twice about doing it again. If it's
encouragement you're seeking, you've got it in SPADES! Age has nothing to do
with your investment in yourself. You won't regret it!
Best of luck,
Jean Cappadonna Nichols, whose continuing education includes a Lana Wilson
workshop this weekend in Miami!
Cyberpotter@AOL.COM on tue 16 jan 01
<< > I plan to go to grad school at age 51.
> Am I completely crazy to do this? >>
Depends. If you're 25 and saying this, one might question it. But if you're
51, then there is no time like the present! ;-)
Reminds me of a letter that was sent in to Dear Abby or some such columnist,
from a woman who said,
"I think I'd like to go to college, but by the time I get out in 4 years,
I'll be 45!"
Wrote back the sage advisor,
"And how old will you be in 4 years if you DON'T go?"
;-)
Nancy in Cincinnati, who sometimes thinks about getting a PhD.... if only she
could decide in WHAT.
Ababi Sharon on tue 16 jan 01
Me too, stragling with things I missed in teen age! Chemistry was just
another needless invention of bored teachers
Ababi 54 years old student
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gayle Bair"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2001 7:27 AM
Subject: Re: Grad School at 51
> Diane,
> You would only be completely crazy
> if you didn't follow your plan.
> I began my clay career at 50.
> What a sorrowful bundle I would
> now be if I hadn't!
> Go for it!
> Gayle Bair-Bainbridge Island WA
>
> Diane wrote>
> Dear Clayarters:
> snip>
> I plan to go to grad school at age 51.
> Am I completely crazy to do this?
>
> All opinions are needed!
>
> diane in Georgia
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
> __
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
freeflt on tue 16 jan 01
Tom,
No, your not crazy, I'm still going for my BA and I'm turning 46 next =
month, this is encouraging, not crazy!
~sherry wells
free flight pottery
george koller on tue 16 jan 01
I DUG THIS OUT OF MY ARCHIVES. IT HAD MADE
A REAL IMPRESSION ON ME AS REGARDS AN OLDER PERSON
MAKING THIS KIND OF DECISION.
THE AUTHOR, SHOULD IT SOMEHOW NOT BE IDENTIFIED
AS SUCH, IS THE MAYOR HIS OWN SELF....
====
one of the most dreadful realities for me, when
i went back to school at 55, was the observation of almost universal
lack of dedication to intense study.
can you believe this:
i was accused of being a `CURVE RAISER`.
i did so much work that it made them look bad.
shit, a curve raiser in grad school....you see, they sorta knew
i was not going to accept the mfa....this was all for me.
it was beyond their scope of understanding.
i was very interested in the `new language of art`...the
critique was why i was there. i can do art in a barn, all alone.
i needed them...but, got very little. my teachers were brilliant.
(but, not very tough.)
most of the students wanted to talk about their art.
talk, talk, talk. write a few paragraphs.
their metaphors.
their images.
their personal grief.
their menstrual cycles
gender issues.
the death of redwoods.
all predicated on not doing art. not painting.
not making pots. but, talking, for hours.
students complained about the `work load`.
`why do we have to read about milton avery, he was so dumb?`
damn, if you do not understand milton avery, don't pick up
a brush for the rest of your life.
going to grad school should be the greatest gift that a person
can ever get. it should be total immersion. total.
if one is not dedicated to that...get the hell out of the way.
i would have failed half of them...kicked their asses into the
real world...but, they all graduated. and you wonder why the
mfa shows are often so bad.
art is about personal dedication. it is work. talented folks are a
dime a dozen. workers are rare as diamonds. a worker with talent
is, and becomes genius.
Cindy Strnad on tue 16 jan 01
Hello, Diane.
Well, you've had plenty of encouragement for your plan, and I agree. If you
want to go to school, then go to school. I enjoy school very much, and if
there were a school around here that taught something I wanted to know, I'd
probably be taking classes.
The question you need to ask yourself, though, is whether you really do want
to go to school. There's certainly a lot to be gained, if you choose a good
program that suits you and your personality, not the least of which is
personal satisfaction and enjoyment.
At our age, though, we've gained (I hope) the wisdom to be selective. I
suggest you take (or even audit) a class or two at the University you're
considering, and decide whether it's what you want. Are they going to be
teaching you something you want to know? There's really no point at all in
getting a degree just for the degree's sake. An educational experience
should add something beneficial and positive to your life.
Are the instructors worth listening to? You know, most kids are willing to
put up with a lot more--um--stuff than older people are generally willing to
put up with. Speaking for myself only, and meaning no offense to our younger
members, I can say that I put up with a lot of things in school because I
didn't realize--didn't know better--didn't understand that I didn't deserve
to be treated like that and shouldn't have allowed it. And I wasn't even all
that young when I finally got around to doing a bit of higher education.
Anyway, do make sure the program you're considering is worth your
consideration.
And if it is, then go for it. I know you'll have a blast.
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
earthenv@gwtc.net
http://www.earthenvesselssd.com
tomsawyer on tue 16 jan 01
Gads in Feb I'm going to be 67. At the age of 57, my wife and I started law
school and at the age of 65, I retired from both medicine and law and
started a serious pursuit in pottery. Lots of reward, lots of fun.
Tom Sawyer
Orlando, Fl
tsawyer@cfl.rr.com
tomsawyer on tue 16 jan 01
George,
I remember that when my wife and I went back to law school @ the age of 57,
one of my classmates who was only a few years younger complained one day
that she was wearing clothes older than 50% of our classmates.
tsawyer@cfl.com
Thom Mead on tue 16 jan 01
You are right! In 5+ years when my child graduates from
college and masters, I will be back there.
51 does not seem old to me, but 33 seems =20
incredibly young!!!
diane in GA
----- Original Message -----
From: Diane G. Echlin
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2001 9:52 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: Grad School at 51
> > I plan to go to grad school at age 51.
> > Am I completely crazy to do this?
On monday I start classes in search of my BFA. At 33. My whole family
thinks I'm crazy, but I'm really stoked for the whole thing. Been
dreaming of art history! Plus, I'll be ready to study on a Sunday
morning minus the obligatory keg-party aftermath that my young
counterparts will inevitably be experiencing!
Never to old! Never!
Diane in CT
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at =
http://explorer.msn.com
Larry Gustafson on wed 17 jan 01
I envy you. I live in an area void in educational opportunities. A four
hour drive would get me to an educational facility offering a graduate
program. Enjoy the experience.
Jeani Gustafson
Thom Mead on wed 17 jan 01
Hi Cindy:
The prudence of your post that follows sounds exactly like me!!! This is =
what has run through my mind. The cost is not the central factor. I think=
the biggest reason I hesitate at all, continue to research, and will wai=
t for my daughter's college graduation
has to do with the factors you list below. I have run things for so lond,=
require such precision in my life, and am surrounded by people who work =
so hard now that I really have a tough time standing for any nonsense.
In five years I will have done the most exhaustive research on this topic=
for me, and I might end up doing graduate work in an area other than art=
.. I have coinsidered such a wide range of degrees, it is amazing. I have =
narrowed it down to 3 I want to get (so obviously I have some work to do =
still.)
I have received some of the most intelligent advice on this topic. I have=
heeded all caveats and have made them my own.
Onward with the research.
Thanks so much,
diane in Georgia (and I might have to do this out of state...actually pro=
bably)
----- Original Message -----
From: Cindy Strnad
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2001 10:47 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: Grad School at 51
Hello, Diane.
Well, you've had plenty of encouragement for your plan, and I agree. If y=
ou
want to go to school, then go to school. I enjoy school very much, and if
there were a school around here that taught something I wanted to know, I=
'd
probably be taking classes.
The question you need to ask yourself, though, is whether you really do w=
ant
to go to school. There's certainly a lot to be gained, if you choose a go=
od
program that suits you and your personality, not the least of which is
personal satisfaction and enjoyment.
At our age, though, we've gained (I hope) the wisdom to be selective. I
suggest you take (or even audit) a class or two at the University you're
considering, and decide whether it's what you want. Are they going to be
teaching you something you want to know? There's really no point at all i=
n
getting a degree just for the degree's sake. An educational experience
should add something beneficial and positive to your life.
Are the instructors worth listening to? You know, most kids are willing t=
o
put up with a lot more--um--stuff than older people are generally willing=
to
put up with. Speaking for myself only, and meaning no offense to our youn=
ger
members, I can say that I put up with a lot of things in school because I
didn't realize--didn't know better--didn't understand that I didn't deser=
ve
to be treated like that and shouldn't have allowed it. And I wasn't even =
all
that young when I finally got around to doing a bit of higher education.
Anyway, do make sure the program you're considering is worth your
consideration.
And if it is, then go for it. I know you'll have a blast.
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
Get your FREE download of MSN =
Explorer at http://explorer.msn.coma>
Thom Mead on wed 17 jan 01
So far, this is the post I really wanted to read! What a testimony to lif=
elong pursuits of excellence!!! More than a little inspiring!!!
----- Original Message -----
From: tomsawyer
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2001 10:41 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: Grad school at 51
Gads in Feb I'm going to be 67. At the age of 57, my wife and I started l=
aw
school and at the age of 65, I retired from both medicine and law and
started a serious pursuit in pottery. Lots of reward, lots of fun.
Tom Sawyer
Orlando, Fl
tsawyer@cfl.rr.com
_________________________________________________________________________=
_____
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at f=3D"http://explorer.msn.com">http://explorer.msn.com
Diane G. Echlin on wed 17 jan 01
> > I plan to go to grad school at age 51.
> > Am I completely crazy to do this?
On monday I start classes in search of my BFA. At 33. My whole family
thinks I'm crazy, but I'm really stoked for the whole thing. Been
dreaming of art history! Plus, I'll be ready to study on a Sunday
morning minus the obligatory keg-party aftermath that my young
counterparts will inevitably be experiencing!
Never to old! Never!
Diane in CT
iandol on thu 18 jan 01
Dear Diane
Several years ago when I was facing the prospect of retirement there was =
the possibility that we might move interstate. such a move would have =
put me in easy commuting distance of a university campus which offered =
BFA. At my interview the question was posed, based on the premise that I =
had taught art for almost twenty five years, "What will you do when I =
am introducing the processes of etching or some other technique which =
you already know about". My reply was to the effect that my prior =
knowledge made it easier for me to form questions which would enable us =
to seek out ways of deepening my attainment and enhancing my skills.
Regrettably, I could not take up the offer when it came. And as I have =
said, being a mature student on campus is a life enhancing experience. =
Forget your age, you are all at square one when you walk through the =
gate together. soon, the young ones will think they are as old as you. =
And you will feel as young as they are.
Best regards,
Ivor.
Diane Mead on thu 18 jan 01
Dear Clayarters:
As always I get the most lovely words as I pose these queries.
I go to a share group of writers next week and plan to take the likes of
these to show.
My fellows will be jealous.
Thanks all Clayarters.
Lovely words
>From: iandol
>Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Subject: Grad School at 51
>Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2001 13:38:46 +1030
>
>Dear Diane
>
>Several years ago when I was facing the prospect of retirement there was
>the possibility that we might move interstate. such a move would have put
>me in easy commuting distance of a university campus which offered BFA. At
>my interview the question was posed, based on the premise that I had taught
>art for almost twenty five years, "What will you do when I am introducing
>the processes of etching or some other technique which you already know
>about". My reply was to the effect that my prior knowledge made it easier
>for me to form questions which would enable us to seek out ways of
>deepening my attainment and enhancing my skills.
>
>Regrettably, I could not take up the offer when it came. And as I have
>said, being a mature student on campus is a life enhancing experience.
>Forget your age, you are all at square one when you walk through the gate
>together. soon, the young ones will think they are as old as you. And you
>will feel as young as they are.
>
>Best regards,
>
>Ivor.
>
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