It's now been 6 years since I've attended this school. Only now do I feel confident enough to be able to leave a full review. I attended 1 semester at this college. Here's a few things that I believe, ACAD, set me back 6 years of my career and skills. First off, the mandatory classes you have to take in order to fill up your schedule are useless. Taking humanities and art history and a class I had no idea what was for only brought my grade average down. I was there to improve my technical skills not how to pay more for books you've never heard of and how to write about it. The teachers were so dated and picky. You could never make something that was, "how they would've done it". Which is not the point of art. Then they try and offer contests and events such as Art awareness. Yes, I'm touchy about this one. I entered in with the most original ideas, spent money I couldn't afford, stole time from friends and family helping me prepare. The voters came to me and said "wow, I've never seen anything like it. It would be an awesome show." So like anyone I started to get ready and pick up my $200 you get to get supplies. The girl said oh no one told you. You didn't get in. I was struck. She said my bio wasn't written very well....I was not attending or got selected to ART school, because of how I write. So Yeah after that I had bitter feelings towards the school. Not only to have a teacher who I needed for a class the most, come in mad everyday on a Saturday and say everyone in her class isn't as good as her. She didn't want to be there and everyone she treated like competition. She singled me out multiple times and said I shouldn't be there.
I'm writing about this now because I was lead to believe for 6 years of my life, I wasn't good enough. I spent money trying to find where I belong. This year, my friend and family said it was time for me to start doing art again. With in 1 month of social media posting and attending local markets, 4 months later I have a WAITLIST of commissions. I got scouted by multiple travelling galleries and markets saying you are the most unique and we need you. I have am incredible following and a few contracts with companies including international zumiez. I plan on opening up a public studio in one of the most beautiful places in BC. The only negative people saying it's not what they would do, are ones who are competing against me.
Get with the times ACAD. And for the people looking to attend I would spend your money and time into self teaching and practice rather than the old and dated teaching methods of this school. Just remember I wasted 6 years not practicing art because of someone's opinions. You just have to know where to find the right people.