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2022 First-Year MFA Grad Students Art, Art History & Design // University of Notre Dame

Norah Amstutz

Ceramics

Hometown

South Bend, IN

What is it about the program that appealed to you?

I couldn't imagine being better taken care of. The resources Notre Dame offers are unbeatable.

What's the best piece of advice you've been given as far as your art, inspiration, or career?

Success and improvement hinge on the time and work you're willing to put in.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in historical objects: architecture, fabrics, furniture, and dinnerware.

What is the one thing you need in your studio to work, other than your art/design supplies?

Natural light keeps me going.

If there was a favorite work of art you could hang or display in your home, which would it be?

Any of Giorgio de Chirico's work, specifically anything related to his Metaphysical Town Square series

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

All the different types of pierogies.

What's the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?

I traveled through Japan alone, interviewing potters.

Thomas Callahan

Photography

Hometown

I was born in Rio Vista, California, and lived there for 11 years, but then I lived in Wyoming and Montana for a combined 14 years. The Rocky Mountain region of the American West is as much my home as the West Coast.

What is it about the program that appealed to you?

I was initially drawn to the program based on advice from one of my undergraduate professors in regards to fully funded MFA programs, but what really attracted me beyond the stipend was the teaching experience and the location. I've never lived in the Midwest so a lot of it is very new to me. It's nice to have such close access to nature, history, and major cultural hubs.

What's the best piece of advice you've been given as far as your art, inspiration, or career?

Easily the most helpful advice I've been given is to make art whenever I can, as frequently as possible, without thinking too much about it. The process of turning the work into a cohesive project can come later.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find my inspiration all around me, though people and the places they've inhabited spark the most useful ideas.

What is the one thing you need in your studio to work, other than your art/design supplies?

Headphones; I am so scatter-brained if I don't have a podcast or album to occupy my thoughts.

If there was a favorite work of art you could hang or display in your home, which would it be?

Barnett Newman's Abraham, 1949.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

If I were served a perfect udon soup with a side of takoyaki at every meal I'd be very happy and very full.

What's the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?

I'm not usually a spontaneous person, but I did just drive to Michigan by myself last night to see the Mountain Goats in concert.

Jason Daniels

Visual Communication Design

Hometown

Collingwood, Ontario (Canada)

What is it about the program that appealed to you?

The ability to adapt my area of focus and develop qualitative research that will inspire​ ​accessible, inclusive and ethical solutions to everyday problems. The resources at Notre Dame encourage opportunities of exploration in a variety of avenues in academia through teaching, one-on-one discussions and collaborative seminars.

What's the best piece of advice you've been given as far as your art, inspiration, or career?

Design demands collaboration. The second you stop questioning your work with your peers, you miss the opportunity to have a thought-provoking discussion.

Where do you find inspiration?

Inspiration, for me, is achieved through designers and researchers working to invoke social change. Oftentimes, it comes from social media threads or vlogs around everyday struggles that could be thoughtfully improved.

What is the one thing you need in your studio to work, other than your art/design supplies?

People. The ability to have social connections whenever I’m feeling stuck on a particular issue to talk through it.

If there was a favorite work of art you could hang or display in your home, which would it be?

Number 23, Jackson Pollock (1948)

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Bruschetta with Parmesan and Balsamic glaze and Mushroom Ravioli.

What's the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?

Waterfall jumping in the Dominican Republic.

Katherine Lestingi

Industrial Design

Hometown

Chicago, IL

What is it about the program that appealed to you?

I was excited to work alongside the talented faculty and students, think deeply about meaningful design problems, and start teaching undergraduate students.

What's the best piece of advice you've been given as far as your art, inspiration, or career?

My friend always says “you have to put the time in at some point” meaning that even if a project is stumping you, keep thinking, researching, or sketching about it. It is just part of the process, and you will find a solution eventually.

Where do you find inspiration?

I love exploring cities, looking at buildings, and walking into shops and galleries. These kinds of experiences have shaped my ideas of good design.

What is the one thing you need in your studio to work, other than your art/design supplies?

Spotify is essential. I listen to music all day long.

If there was a favorite work of art you could hang or display in your home, which would it be?

Recently, I have been introduced to the paintings of David Hockney. I love his pop art style, use of color, and large scale.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I would be happy with any kind of sandwich—Reuben, Cuban, you name it.

What's the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?

Yesterday, I switched up my order at Starbucks.

Griffin Liu

Sculpture

Hometown

China (my parents move around so no specific city is really hometown).

What is it about the program that appealed to you?

Freedom, money, and small cohort.

What's the best piece of advice you've been given as far as your art, inspiration, or career?

“I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”

Where do you find inspiration?

The cosmos, fossils, good music, being alone, etc. But mostly, boring lectures are the time when my inspiration really hits.

What is the one thing you need in your studio to work, other than your art/design supplies?

Nihilism. Some other things that can do the trick as well: a deadline, a strong urge to prove someone wrong/impress people, guilt, religious need, etc

If there was a favorite work of art you could hang or display in your home, which would it be?

Too hard of a choice. I’ll pass.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Dinner.

What's the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?

Grab a guitar and sing to the dead in a graveyard at 2 am.

Emma Ryan

Painting & Drawing

Hometown

Minden, Nebraska

What is it about the program that appealed to you?

Notre Dame’s MFA program interested me because of the emphasis put on art history and teaching, along with it being a three-year program. When I visited campus after my acceptance, I knew this was a program that was going to push me artistically and professionally.

What's the best piece of advice you've been given as far as your art, inspiration, or career?

It’s alright to make mistakes in art because it almost always makes you a better artist.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration from everything around me. An idea of a composition can come to me from something as simple as an iridescent reflection from a glass or the way a piece of fabric slightly folds in on itself. I try to find appreciation in the smallest details.

What is the one thing you need in your studio to work, other than your art/design supplies?

Music and coffee are an absolute necessity.

If there was a favorite work of art you could hang or display in your home, which would it be?

It’s a toss-up between “Flowers in a Glass Vase” by Rachel Ruysch or “Andersen's Fairy Tales” by Janet Fish.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Anyone who knows me, knows without a doubt it would be Mac and Cheese.

What's the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?

Switching my major to art sophomore year of college. It is also the best decision I’ve ever made.