Meet Erin Tyler

Her professional accomplishments

“Being selected for, and participating in, an international artist residency has been my proudest professional accomplishment to date. Supported artist residencies are extremely competitive and being selected by the foundation for the Villa Lena Artist Residency was a great honor. In addition, participating in the residency required me to travel alone internationally and to spend a month away from home. This felt like a really intimidating task for me personally, and I am very proud of myself for doing so!”

Why choose MSU for graduate education?

“I moved to Springfield in 2013 to pursue my undergraduate degrees in studio art and education and found a community here that has supported me and helped me see progress and change in my own life. Missouri State has been, and continues to be, a huge part of that support network. A great motivator for choosing Missouri State for my MFA program was the opportunity to have close mentorship with the faculty in the Art and Design program. Namely, painters Sarah Williams and Amanda Smith, sculptor Deidre Argyle, and art historians Dr. Catherine Jolivette and Dr. Mitzi Kirkland-Ives. The program is structured so that students are able to get ample feedback and guidance from faculty during the culmination of their research. As a student in the program, I feel very connected to the faculty and am very appreciative of the time and energy they dedicate to helping me develop my work!”

Why did Erin choose her program?

“I chose this interdisciplinary master’s program because I felt that it was necessary to dedicate time and space to my art practice in a safe and supported environment. The MFA in Visual Studies degree program offers an individualized curriculum that supports my personal creative research.”

Favorite class/professor

“Over the past year, I have been able to work directly under professors Amanda Smith and Sarah Williams in directed graduate studio classes. These classes have given me the opportunity to receive routine feedback and individualized instruction from professional artists — both in conceptual development and in practical guidance in professional development. We spend about an hour deeply discussing my work which results in new discoveries, questions and challenges. Both Amanda and Sarah have been incredibly generous in giving me time out of their busy schedules to discuss my work, and I have seen immense value in this class structure!

In addition, although we are only a few weeks in, I feel that my current graduate critique class taught by Colby Jennings will be one of the best classes I experience. This class allows us to spend an hour in each graduate student’s studio asking questions and providing feedback on their work. Our first critique session, discussing the work of third-year graduate students Mara Cressey and Erin Sedra, left me feeling deeply inspired. This dedicated time allows each of us to delve into one another’s work and generates meaningful conversations on art, experience and life. The class structure allows students in different years in the program to connect and learn from one another.”

Highlights from her artist residency in Italy

“Where to begin!? My residency with The Villa Lena Foundation in Palaia, Italy was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. The MSU Graduate College and the Department of Art and Design both generously awarded me funding in support of this opportunity, truly making it financially possible for me to attend. For those unfamiliar, an artist residency is an opportunity for artists to live and work in a place for a period of time, often with an opportunity to disconnect from their regular life and routines in order to focus on the creation of new works. While in residence at Villa Lena, I had just that: uninterrupted time to think, work and feel surrounded by a breathtaking natural environment in the rolling Tuscan hills.”

“One of the greatest parts of the experience was connecting with the incredible interdisciplinary cohort of artists who were in residence with me, including: Camille Bacon (writer), Miyelle Karmi (ceramicist), Hinako Omori (musician), Ms. Z Tye (visual artist), and Jordan Boucicaut (composer). With this lovely group I was able to find close companionship over incredible farm-to-table family style meals. On the Villa Lena Foundation open day — a day where additional artists, curators, collectors and writers were invited to meet with us during studio visits, we were treated to an amazing dinner by MQBMBQ (My Queer Blackness My Black Queerness) the organization who partnered with three of the artists in our cohort! This decadent meal was written about in New York Times’ Style Magazine!”

Overcoming challenges

“As with any rigorous program, the most challenging aspect to the program is time management. As a graduate student, I feel that I am always wearing many hats — artist, student, teacher and social media manager to name a few! As an artist, first and foremost, I find that prioritizing studio work while still keeping up with all the other moving parts is a challenge, but one that is manageable with structured time management. Professor Sarah Williams has been a great motivator for me in regards to time management. I have found that digital calendars and task lists make it possible for me to keep everything running smoothly!”

Memorable experiences at Missouri State

“Last spring, my classmate Joy Okokon and I were able to take a trip to New York City together! Joy was recognized by the International Sculpture Center as an outstanding student and the ceremony was in NYC. I was sent on assignment to document her recognition as our social media manager, and to interview Sam Mattax, a BFA alumni from Missouri State who is currently pursuing his MFA at Hunter College. In a whirlwind 72-hour trip, Joy and I were able to explore the city, visit the Museum of Modern Art and enjoy the incredible awards ceremony. Missouri State’s Department of Art and Design was generous in their support of this trip!”

MSU community supports students

“I have received incredible support from MSU’s faculty, staff and my graduate cohort. They have shown me this support through careful listening and feedback, constant encouragement, genuine care and through a collaborative dedication to challenging me as a student person. In addition, through my graduate assistantship, scholarships and additional funding opportunities I have found financial support that has helped me commit to my education.”

Her graduate education is preparing her for her future

“First and foremost, my graduate program at Missouri State has allowed me the time and space to invest in my practice in a supportive environment that can facilitate and guide my growth. Through the program, I have had the opportunity to grow my art practice, both conceptually and physically, creating large-scale works that would not be possible without the large studio space that MSU’s program has provided me. In addition, I have been introduced to incredible contemporary artists, including Corwin Levi, Anna Valdez, Monika Weiss and Britt Ransom through one-on-one studio visits and podcast interviews, made possible by the Department of Art and Design’s Visiting Artists, Designers and Scholars Series. These connections broaden my understanding of the art world and give me access to valuable feedback, advice and mentorship that would otherwise not be as easily accessible. These experiences, in addition to the close guidance of the graduate faculty at MSU, have truly shaped my art practice and helped prepare me for life after graduation.”

Advice for upcoming #GradBears

“Pursuing a graduate degree, like any other major life choice, requires careful consideration, planning, confidence and risk-taking. My advice to those considering a graduate degree at MSU would be to take time to deeply evaluate what the program could provide to you and give yourself time to consider when might be best to pursue the continuation of your education. I took five years between my undergraduate degree and my master’s program, and those years were essential for me to grow in ways that supported my ability to learn. I now have a stronger foundation to stand on while pursuing my graduate program. Everyone’s journey and needs look different, but developing a sensitivity to what your needs are and how to fill them is crucial to making life decisions that support your growth. The graduate program I am in has been specifically beneficial to me because of my choice to pursue it when it felt right and necessary.”