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Coming Home - Michigan State University, Kresge Art Center


My lunchtime view for 4 years, the east stairwell of Kresge Art Center at Michigan State University, where I concurrently earned a BFA in painting and a BA in art history. Also shadowed, I realized today, by the same locusts that grew along the treelined drive to my childhood home. #clarity

I grew up in a small town very aware of (and uncomfortable with) the fact that I was somehow rather different than the majority of my peers. It wasn't until I went away to college (Michigan State University) that I realized that difference was an integral piece of my identity.

I was an artist.

It was inside the walls of the Kresge Building where I embraced and actively nurtured that difference, learning the language of creating, wallowing in my process, building the infrastructure of my style and establishing friendships with other like souls.

Today I had the distinct pleasure of returning home after a long absence. As the guest of the Dean and Programming Specialist, I connected with one of the two remaining professors of mine (printmaking) still on staff. SIDEBAR: He did not remember me, which is somewhat heartening, because I totally sucked at etching, yet I managed to remain unremarkable enough that he did not retain how sucky I truly was. I also got treated to a tour of classrooms and studios, visited the new "pop-up" exhibition spaces around campus, and had conversations about how my experiences might compliment their education offerings.

I would love nothing more than to return again and share some of my life lessons with emerging Spartan artists. We shall see what happens.

Meanwhile, I think I need to find a locust tree to lunch under tomorrow.

Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork,
All my best, Kim
ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

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