On Oct. 16, some of the PV art students and faculty attended National Portfolio Day at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), the nation’s most influential art and design school. This is one of the nation’s largest portfolio days. Attendees included representatives from over 60 art schools and universities worldwide, from the San Francisco Art Institute to the Rhode Island School of Design.

Students were given the chance to present their artwork, collaborate with college representatives about what they’ve been working on, and receive advice about pursuing a career in the visual arts field. This was a valuable opportunity for students to network with counselors and faculty from various institutions and nationally renowned programs.

SAIC also hosted some events the previous day, including a special presentation and a tour of its state-of-the-art facilities. The presentation covered advice about how to maximize the National Portfolio Day experience as well as information about the school itself regarding admission processes, scholarships, and portfolio suggestions.

“This visit to Chicago was helpful for me because I have finally decided on what I want to major in,” said Max Yonash, junior. PV students admitted that this experience really impacted and solidified their hopes to seek a career or future education in the visual arts. “It allowed me to make a final decision on what college I want to attend,” claimed Jordan Keyes, junior.

Students had the opportunity to gain a more concrete sense of what exactly colleges look for in those who want to pursue visual arts. They also gained inspiration from other artwork and discovered the multitude of programs available post high school.

Having an outside perspective on the students’ art was also a benefit, and the constructive criticism was appreciated. “This trip did a lot for me including that I am still improving, and all the feedback from the colleges will help me improve my art because it is new feedback from someone who does not know me and my art,” admitted Gabby Graham-LeGare, senior.

If you are passionate about the visual arts, but a little uncertain about how to develop a future through it, do not worry. Experiences such as this can open many doors and bring awareness about the numerous opportunities available.