Class of 2003
BFA in Art and Design (furniture design)
Profession: Studio Sculptor and Water Plant Operator
Location: Mackinac Island, MI
www.geocities.com/lizzo_p

"I have been working on Mackinac Island before and since Graduation. I worked for a photographer selling his work in his store.  In May of 2005 I began working at the Mackinac Island Water Filtration Plant. I am now a water plant operator.  Basically I make the drinking water for a community of less than 1000 people. Of course, in the summer the population exceeds that number due to tourism and summer employees.  It is not the career path I intended, however it allows me the finances to continue pursuing my first love-art.

"I do have a workspace/shop where I live on the Island, It just takes a long time to collect all the tools and things I need to create art.  During my last few semesters at Alma I began studying jewelry design and loved it as much as furniture design.   I now work closely with a local jeweler, Frank Bloswick, Jr. who owns and operates the Mackinac Lapidary.  This has been very beneficial for both of us because we are able to exchange information and critique on another.  The importance of other artists working with you and around you was something I learned at Alma.

"I hope to eventually make enough furniture and jewelry to sell on Mackinac Island and perhaps elsewhere.  I would like to have my own store one day, but the current situation is acceptable and I enjoy producing a few pieces of my work to sell or donate to the numerous charity events on the Island.

"I would say the best thing about attending Alma College (this is for the art dept., because that is where I spent 80% of my time)  was the close contact with professors, the small class size, personal attention...almost a family atmosphere.  And of course, because we were a small art family you could always find another art student to bounce your ideas off of and they could do likewise.  You are not anonymous at Alma like you might be at a larger school.  This was appealing to me.

"My words of wisdom for aspiring Alma College Artists:
Listen to critiques from other artists and professors. As much as it might not be what you want to hear, they are usually right.  Personally, when I got to Alma, I thought I knew better and didn't want to be involved with other students and didn't want to listen to professors.  Eventually I did and it made a world of difference.  So my advice is to give the process of critiques a chance to work--and not just the formal
critiques, all the little ones you get along the way.

"Wisdom for aspiring artists in general:
Don't give up. Take a break when you need to, but never quit for good.  Remember that being a successful artist does not necessarily mean monetary success, but fulfillment by creating work you can be proud of."