Nick Merlo is a graduate of our Crafting a Future (CAF) program, which he participated in his junior and senior year of high school. He’s currently a sophomore at the Rhode Island School of Design studying textiles.
Click on the image to hear about Nick’s work.
Crafting a Future Experience
The Crafting a Future program is really what helped me prepare my portfolio for applying to school – the level of work, the repertoire of things to show what I’m learning. I learned different mediums in CAF my junior year, including clay and wood. Then, I focused on fibers during my senior year.
I loved how long you could stay in the studio. You weren’t rushed like in school, where you never felt like you were really immersed in your artwork. You knew where you’d be for several months and what you’d be able to work on. And I don’t think that most public schools have the art funding. CAF is a replacement for arts education that you might not get otherwise. And Cathy McBride was a valuable mentor who I wouldn’t have met otherwise. To be learning under working artists, you get that side of the story.
I was able to think more creatively in terms of problem-solving. I think it looks really good when you’re applying for college because it shows that you have the capacity to think in a different way and to devote this many years to something. It’s even better if you’re not applying to an art school. The fact that the program was completely free really shocked me. It’s a big time commitment, but you learn a lot. It’s worth the time. I don’t think there’s another program that’s an equivalent in St. Louis.
From CAF teaching artist Cathy McBride
What we do here isn’t really taught in regular schools. The students learn to think outside of the box. You can use this creativity in so many areas – business, education…It’s problem-solving. I wish I had had something like this in high school. The teaching artists are very skilled in their areas. And for the students to pick up that knowledge before college, I think it’s priceless.
When the students come in, they’re kids. When they leave, they’re adults. And for some of them, it becomes their passion. They embrace it. It’s exciting. And it’s also exciting to see them go to some of the best art schools based on their CAF portfolios.
It’s amazing the rapport you build with them. You build relationships and get great feedback from the students and their parents. And it challenges me, too. Sometimes you can get stagnant in your own work. But the students will guide me in different directions and have me find answers for their questions. The teachers get as much from the students as they do from the program.
Nick’s work always exceeded expectations. I look forward to seeing where his talent and many skills take him in the future.
Interviews have been edited for clarity.
What a great opportunity Nick – I love your work! Cathy, thank you for offering a safe space for artists to experiment and create!