Mackenzie Goodine is the first graduate of our high school arts program to return to Monson Arts as a resident! Mackenzie returned through The Monson Seminar, a residency for Pell-eligible, first-generation college students pursuing creative and research-based projects through the U-Maine system. Students who are awarded a residency spend three weeks at Monson Arts before the school year begins. The Monson Seminar provides students with the space, time, and support necessary to produce advanced creative and scholarly work. The aim is for every student to discover a greater capacity for independent work and increase student engagement, retention, and success.
Since Mackenzie has the special honor of being the first person to attend Monson Arts as both a high school student and a college resident, we sat down with her to see how she felt about coming back.
Being a former Monson Art High School Program attendee, how did it feel to return to Monson three years later?
I was super excited. The Monson Arts High School Program was such a nice retreat from my academics. The location is beautiful, and the community was always welcoming; I kept coming back for other events in the town!
When I found out about the Seminar, I knew I had to be there. I’ve never had my own studio space or worked so consistently on a project like this. Prior to Monson, I was in a slump with my art. Based on my experience with the High School Program, I knew the Seminar would be key in motivating me again, and it definitely was.
Do you feel that the high school program influenced what you chose to study in college, or do you think it provided you with skills that helped you as an undergrad?
The program gave me a sense of what being a professional artist might look like. Working with and meeting other artists allowed me insight into different possibilities of where art could take me. It also started to teach me discipline, a crucial skill to have as an artist.
What project did you work on during your time here?
I decided to start a collection of traditional artworks fully focused on recently extinct animals. These animals were primarily victims of human-caused destruction, and the goal was to share their stories.
What do you hope to do in the future (with the project or in school)?
For the project, I don’t quite have an end goal yet. I want to publish it in some way, either as an art book or otherwise, but I haven’t hashed out the details yet. I just know I want to get it out into the world for people to see.
As for school, I’m currently in the Studio Art program at UMO! Somewhere down the line, I’d like to have a Master’s, but I want to focus on growing my career before that. I am hoping to be a freelance artist or work on a team with others.
What was your favorite part about being here during the Monson Seminar?
Definitely the people. By this, I mean everyone; all of the advisors, visitors, people in the community, and especially my fellow artists in the Seminar. I was nervous before going, thinking that I wouldn’t click with anyone or end up shutting myself out to focus on my art. I couldn’t have been proven more wrong. These were some of the most welcoming, creative, funny, and beautiful people I have ever had the opportunity to work alongside. The whole experience will be unforgettable, and it wouldn’t have been the same without these friends I made.
Some of the extinct animal illustrations Mackenzie created while in residence:
Mackenzie Goodine is the first graduate of our high school arts program to return to Monson Arts as a resident! Mackenzie returned through The Monson Seminar, a residency for Pell-eligible, first-generation college students pursuing creative and research-based projects through the U-Maine system. Students who are awarded a residency spend three weeks at Monson Arts before the school year begins. The Monson Seminar provides students with the space, time, and support necessary to produce advanced creative and scholarly work. The aim is for every student to discover a greater capacity for independent work and increase student engagement, retention, and success.
Time and space to create.
Monson Arts is a new artists’ residency and arts center in Monson, Maine. Programs include residencies for artists and writers, intensive shorter workshops, and educational partnerships with area secondary schools.