Maggie Falco

What was your major and how did you choose it?

I chose sculpture because I wanted a way to make my ideas come to life in a 3D form. I felt like sculpture would give me the creative freedom I craved in the sense of being able to create art with any materials I wanted to experiment with. Before attending MCAD, I went to Normandale Community College, the University of Arizona, and Kansai University. I was originally going to college for forensic pathology, but leaned more towards art after realizing how cathartic creating art was for me during my final year at Normandale. However, my fascination with pathology, biology, and mortuary science eventually lead me to experimenting more with natural found objects, which includes road kill, skulls, and mummified specimens.

Who was your favorite teacher and why?

It's a tie between Brad Jirka and Kate Casanova. Brad was an endless well of knowledge and Kate was very welcoming and open to my ideas. I respected the both of them tremendously as artists and professors.

Best thing you ever got/saw on the free shelf?

A baguette... I didn't eat the entire day I was working away on my senior projects, so gobblin' up that luscious chunk of bread fueled me enough to keep working into the night. (Please remember to keep snacks in your studio and to allow yourself the time to eat!)

How have things changed since graduating? Is there anything you miss about being a student at MCAD?

I really miss the convenience of being surrounded by other creatives and people working on various kinds of projects. If I was working in my studio (which I almost constantly was) and needed to borrow a tool or materials, or if I needed a quick critique, it was so nice to be able to hop over to another studio or turn to my studio mates to ask for assistance. After graduating I was a teacher's assistant for Digital Fabrication and got to enjoy that wonderful convenience for one more semester.

After MCAD, I had to work hard and force myself to be more sociable to form new connections and network with new artists. I've been very lucky in meeting other talented artists and joining new communities over the years and have been able to connect with other MCAD alumni through social networking. You can't sit around and expect people to randomly reach out to you. You must be willing to put yourself out there and get the connections started!

Is there anything you wish you knew when you were an MCAD student?

I wish I knew more about the free counseling services that MCAD provides to current students. I never took advantage of it and really wish I had when I was fighting with my depression and anxiety during my time at MCAD. A lot of us are hurting and many of us are struggling silently. Please do not be afraid to reach out for help when you're feeling overwhelmed. Ask a professor or student services more about the options available for mental health support, or feel free to email me and I can help provide info about accessible counseling services outside of MCAD.

What advice do you have for current MCAD students?

Make what you have a passion for! I was so afraid to express and make what I had actual interest in in fear of negativity and rejection. It wasn't until my senior year that I made the things I wanted. My senior year was by far the best because I opened up, made more connections with my classmates, and dove into my projects wholeheartedly because they were projects I wanted to make. Despite those who don't want to understand you, you will find others who will support you, your decisions, and your work. Talk to your studio mates and try to make connections with your classmates. Those with open minds will hear you out and try to understand you and your work. Be receptive of constructive criticism and tune out those who are not being respectful, sincere or giving legit feedback.

Your biggest takeaway from MCAD?

My biggest takeaway from MCAD is learning to keep more of an open mind in regards to others boundaries, artwork, and beliefs. The more I studied taxidermy and the more open about it I became. It taught me to be more receptive of various points of views towards certain subject matters. It's much easier to understand someone if you actually take the time to actively listen to them and understand why they like or don't like something. Unless the other person was being close-minded or just blatantly disrespecting me, it was always interesting to hear opposing ideas. I value open mindedness, active listening, and constructive criticism more and more the older I get.

Describe what you do for work and how you feel about it.

I currently take on commissions for mostly specimen preservation, illustration, taxidermy repair, and I'll be making a comeback with my own taxidermy next year. I also pick up a few studio assistant jobs and various other odd jobs whenever I come across them.

I have a day job, but pick up freelance work mostly through networking and connecting with other artists I've met through various art shows and events and also through social media.

How do you network yourself and your art?

Instagram has been the greatest thing for me to network with other artists and for putting my work out there. I also go to gallery show openings and mingle with the artists who have their work on display and I've met a few great artists while going out to Art-a-Whirl, Art Attack, and open studio nights. I also seek out local and international creative groups to join on Facebook to connect with other artists.

What inspires you?

Death, horror movies, animals, preserving memories, natural history, being gay, and working only with ethically sourced specimens—I never kill animals for my work. The animals I've worked with are either road kill, donations of deceased pets, hunters scraps, or taxidermists scraps. (Big heartfelt thank you to those who have donated to me in the past.)

What advice do you have for those who are at the beginning of their creative careers?

You must put yourself out there—make the first move instead of waiting around for other artists or potential employers to contact you. If you come across an artist you think is really cool, reach out to them if you can. You never know if it could lead to a potential job or collaboration. Networking is key to finding various art jobs or freelance work.

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

It's an accomplishment for me to have made lasting connections and friendships during my time at MCAD. Making good friends can be really hard, and the longer I've been out of school the more grateful I am for the friends I was lucky enough to make. I'm also proud of myself for gaining the confidence to study and teach myself the things I was passionate about creating and not allowing any negativity I received over it stop me from going further with it.

I've also learned it helps a lot to keep a type of digital portfolio of my work on my phone. There's been times I've been at gallery show openings and I'll meet other artists who want to see my work, so it's been incredibly helpful to have an art Instagram or website handy to show on my phone instead of just handing out one of my business cards.

Current obsession?

Werewolf movies and Meg Ryan.