Hilary Nelson, MUM Art Grad, Discusses MFA Progress
Creative Direction: Hilary and Trilby Nelson; Videography: Philip Rabalais; Video Editing: Hilary and Philip
2013 MIU BFA graduate Hilary Nelson’s steady progress towards a career in art has been both thoughtful and reality based. “You can progress on your own,” she tells me, “but a BFA program can speed that up. It can be a huge push.”
“I received a BS in Sustainable Living from MIU in 2007,” she says. “I returned to completed my BFA in 2012. It was fantastic! Professors Jim Shrosbree and Gyan Shrosbree were really supportive.” By the end of the year, Hilary knew she was ready for an MFA.
Hilary advises students looking for a BFA program to, “Take one step at a time. There are lots of different reasons to go to school. It’s important to think about what you want.” “MIU’s BFA students are unique in how grounded they are,” she adds, “They’re flexible, resourceful and equipped to work through a variety of problems.”
Hilary is currently in her second year of a three-year MFA at the University of Iowa. I ask about her experience in choosing a grad school and working as a teaching assistant during her MFA.
“Teaching clarifies my own practice,” she says. “It makes me think about how I work and how to translate it. It keeps me open to all students and their strengths. Pushing them forward is a cool experience. You see their progress and excitement. It’s really great and totally challenging–in a good way.”
“Choosing to do an MFA,” she continues, “gives you time, space and support to go deeply into work. Be grounded in your interests and what serves you. There are lots of different art worlds and schools. Look for a school where your interests will fit in. Be open. It might not be what you suspected. Don’t think you have to go to the best school. It just needs to be a good school for you.”
Hilary’s “trying not to think about post-MFA plans too much. I have ideas, but I don’t want to get ahead of the work. Working through my process is first and foremost, right now.”
Visit Hilary’s website and find more of her work. At the Nelson Project you’ll discover the collaborative fabric, ceramic, photographic and video work of Hilary and her sister Trilby, who lives in Austin, TX. These talented sisters describe their unique projects as inspired by their shared childhood memories and sense of commonplace.
Mo Ellis is inspired by art, issues, and progressive ideas. Mo Ellis’ online and print contributions as a writer, editor, website & mobile app project manager, PR and online media director have appeared at: "O" magazine, The Huffington Post, The New York Times, The Des Moines Register, Surface Design Journal, The Iowa Source, KRUU-FM, Iowa Public Radio, Dr. Mercola and Dr. Oz.