We are interviewing some of the generous MFA students and alumni who have donated to our MFA 2020 Fund, which will support scholarships for future Black, Indigenous, and People of Color MFA students.
Our current goal is to raise $40,000 by March 1, 2022, allowing us to increase the size of the yearly grant to match the other MFA merit awards.
Please join us in learning more about Jordyn Brennan ’22 and her creative practice.
Which year did you graduate and what brought you to MCAD for your MFA? Could you speak a little bit about your background?
I graduated from Upper Iowa University in Spring 2020. I played Division ll Collegiate Softball while pursuing a degree in Studio Arts. It wasn’t until the end of my junior year that I really started to take my art more seriously. Going into my senior year, I felt that I had just scratched the service on my creative practice and I needed some more time to explore that so the wonderful professors at Upper Iowa suggested graduate school.
How did your art change while you were at MCAD?
My art has changed a lot since coming to graduate school. Before school I knew I was technically skilled but I didn’t know what I wanted to say or do with that. Since being at MCAD I have learned so much about myself and what I want my work to say. While my MFA journey is coming to a close, I feel like I’ve opened up a whole new world of creative possibilities.
How has your work evolved since your time at MCAD?
It’s really exciting to see how I have evolved since coming to MCAD. I came into MCAD with very realistic and representionation work. In my first year, I steered away from that and worked very abstractly. I really pushed myself to the extreme trying concepts and techniques that are out of my comfort zone. In doing that I’ve been able to discover new ideas and ways of working. Now in my second year, I have moved back towards representational work while bringing in techniques I developed in previous work. In short, I’ve noticed that my creative practice is like a continuous circle of trying new things, then going back to past ideas, trying new, then recycling old ideas etc. etc. It’s fun to see things from years ago pop back up in new, exciting ways!
What is next? Any new projects or jobs that are in the pipeline?
In the new year I will be teaching multiple courses at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts as well as others around Minnesota and Iowa. Additionally, I’m always looking and applying to new mural opportunities around the country. Lastly, I am in the process of applying to teaching positions in higher education.
You donated to support our MFA 2020 Fund, which benefits future Black, Indigenous, and People of Color MFA students – thank you! What motivated you to contribute to this scholarship effort?
I donated to the MFA 2020 Fund, because it was a way to help my fellow and future MFA family. I believe it’s important to give to others in whatever way you can and donating my artwork was a way to do that.
