Written by Alexis Schramel | Photos by Eric Butler Raed Ghanja '22, Abe Shriner '23, and another MFA candidate had the opportunity to meet with faculty member Sarah Petersen for a studio visit this semester. While each candidate had their own unique experience, each had a valuable visit with Sarah. As we start the new semester, some questions arise about studio visits. Here is a quick guide to get started on approaching studio visits with professionals in the art community. What is a studio visit? Studio visits involve welcoming professionals into your studio to talk about your creative practice and build relationships. Topics of discussion may include your research process, work-in-progress, completed bodies of work, work installed in the gallery, questions, and other topics that may arise as the studio visit progresses. Studio visits may be formal or informal depending on your relationships and what the artist is looking for in the discussion. These meetings are useful tools and can help artists evolve their practice in and outside of academia. These relationships can be unpredictable from forming an instant connection to other relationships take may time to grow as opportunities come later in life. How do you get the most out of studio visits? Approaching studio visits with patience, honesty, and an open perspective can help the studio visit become a useful tool for the hosting artist. Remember these professionals are giving the hosting artist their valuable time, so be respectful of their time and commitment to meet with you. Studio visitors might want to share tips, ideas, and connections by meeting with you as well as strengthen their network. Helpful tips before a studio visit might include: Updating your website/social media Setting intentions for the visit Researching the studio visitor Cleaning the studio space Prepare work you plan to talk about Display process work Develop questions to ask the visitor Practice studio visits with colleagues Categories Studio Visits