What do you guys think about Ashland Academy of Art?

[LifeWontWait]

Hey everyone,
I was looking at the Ashland Academy of Art and was wondering if I could get some opinions on this school. Either from students that go there or just other artists that have looked at their web page.

I see there is a whole separate thread specifically for the school but there aren't many people posting in the thread.

This school would be perfect for me as far as cost and location goes... I just don't know if it is a very good school or not...

Thoughts?

[marcodoom]

I'm interested too, at the moment, together with atelier stockholm, is at the top of the schools i'm considering, the place seems perfect for studying and the school looks great..on the downside i cannot afford 4 years of study, maybe 3, surely 2..wich means only foundamentals..but that's the way it is..
Anyway, review or comments on the school (and on ashland) are indeed appreciated

[LifeWontWait]

I have been to Ashland although it was a really long time ago I remember really liking it a lot. As far as the tuition goes.... if I am not mistaken I believe you only pay for the first two years and then they select some of the best students to continue study (for free) for the next two years.

Hopefully we can get some past students or current students to give a little input in this thread...

[LifeWontWait]

bump

would still love to hear from some students past or present... or even just any thoughts on the school and what they teach even if you aren't a student of theirs.

[Praemium]

I would say your best bet is to call the school up, and schedule a visit if you're able to. I suppose you've read all through the website, but they also have a video posted if you search around the official thread.

From what I know, Ashland is strongly rooted on the principles of constructing the figure. Having studied construction, I can tell you that unlike sight-size or other methods it takes a long time to grasp. With construction, there is no "instant gratification." I believe construction is a much better system than sight-size, because once you learn it, you can build the figure from nearly any angle, without needing a model. I do know someone who has studied at Ashland, and it takes a lot of commitment. I think this is why the work of the students is so impressive, it is because drawing has become second nature to them. Unlike most art school students, the students are not only drawing the figure, but understanding how the body works and moves. Read Hummeldane's thread on construction vs. realism... it will really help you get a grasp on which system you prefer. Although, I'm guessing that if you've gotten to this point, you've already read all that.

Again, if you're seriously interested, and plan on committing a few years to solely learning the foundations of drawing and painting send them an email or call. I've never been to the school, but I've heard good things about it from a family friend who studied there for a while.

[edit] Link to a current student I know of: http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=160200
oh and http://www.conceptart.org/forums/sho...=1#post1937686
^^but I'm pretty sure it's been a while since she's been on CA.

[LifeWontWait]

Hey,
Thanks so much for the reply. I had seen Ken's sketch book but not creativekey's... thanks for that link!

I did read most of Hummeldan'es thread... there is a lot of stuff in there and at points I got a little confused but it really is a good thread.

I realize that I should talk to the school at some point but I just wanted to hear some outside opinions first.

Thanks again.

[marcodoom]

I have contacted the school and sent my work asking for admission, seems like i am in, but it's still non official. Everything seems on the goodside, they are just a bit slow answering my mails, so it's taking a while to communicate...but that's ok.
Unfortunately i won't be able to visit the school as i live in italy and it would be to expensive to get there for a simple visit.
The video, the pictures, the student work, some web info i found and the surrounding environment make it look convincing..Just hope i'm right.
If i get more infos i'll let you know.

[913]

The Ashland Academy of Art will close in October 2010, according to what the management has told the current students. They intend, or so I understand, to re-locate a renamed version of the school in at some point in the future.

[marcodoom]

What they have told me about a month ago is that they will move to Portland Oregon in October 2010, but there will be no teaching flow interruption during this location change.
I am waiting for more precise informations from them as i have been admitted and willing to enroll but still don't have the necessary elements to make a choice. Thy also told me that tuition rate will be changing together with some uncertainty on dormitory availability, which they had in Ashland..
Ashland looked like a great place to study and this change has been quite saddening to me, however i hope to afford living in Portland and get to their school.
Just hope it doesn't close forever..

PS: 913, are you a student at the school??

[913]

I am not a student at the school. However, it sounds like they have told you more than they have told the current students.

[913]

Hmm. Part of my first post was lost as I sort of edited. Specifically, the word "Portland."

[Sirkenneth]

Hey guys-I study here in Ashland.
Sorry for not stopping by earlier. What Semyon has announced is they plan on moving the school to Portland in October of 2010. They claim the move will be seamless and the schooling will be interrupted. I am not sure how they are handling the applications for the next year. We are all pretty excited for the move. Ashland is a very small place and it can be a little restricting for art students. Portland will offer more cultural experience and access to art museums. I will still miss Ashland. Hopefully the move will allow the Academy to expand and take more students in.
If you plan on studying here-prepare yourself for the long haul. There isnt much education in one given day. It is mostly just practice and drills. It's not fun or exciting. I don't mean to sound like a downer by saying that but it is best to be prepared. Disappointment comes from the wrong expectations-so dont expect to have a fun time. It is study. Like medical school or something.
So the experience may leave more to be desired-but the education is as solid as it gets. The construction drawing and just the drawing technique in general is great. My skills have noticeably jumped and my thought process is much more organized.
Hopefully, as the school expands they will explore more class options and expose students to more aspects of painting and making art.
I will come back soon to see if you folks have any other questions that I might be able to advise on. You can message me too if you like.
-K

[a.k.a.Brady]

I've been saving up money to attend Ashland, since figure construction is really what I want to learn, but now hearing about the move, and possible tuition change, this might mess up my plans.

I hope they don't raise it too much, or if I'm lucky, maybe they'll offer some sort of scholarship, or student aid.

Portland's a cool town, so it will probably be a good change for the school, but I have a question about a typical day, or time management.

Is it possible to work full time and go to school there?

How much homework is there, if any?

Working and going to school would be the only way I could attend, unless there was the afore mentioned student aid, or scholarship.

I realized that I forgot to answer the original question!

It's obvious I don't attend the school, but the reason they are my preferred school right now, is that they teach figure construction. It takes years to get it down properly, but my ultimate art goal right now is to learn how to draw the complete human figure from my mind without a model. And Ashland seems to be the only reasonably priced school I could find that teaches that.

Also, they don't use sight size at all, which to some is a detriment, but I've found that the sight size method can be taught and learned in a few hours or less, and after that it's all about personal discipline and training the eye to see, which can be done with any other method as well.