Why Studying Art in School Is Not a Bad Idea for the Artistically Inclined

I recently heard an artistically talented young man say that a high school teacher suggested that he not attend college because he already knows how to draw. I had an immediate negative reaction, but it took me a few days to figure out exactly why. I think I've summed it up below.

Also want to point out I didn't go to an "art school," rather I majored in art at University of Memphis (which was awesome).

1. Art majors learn an actual skill (such as how to paint).
2. Majoring in art/going to art school is about putting in the time and making the work. Do you already have talent and skills? Great. Will you use them to make work every day? Probably not.
3. Art classes teach you how to talk about art. And you have to be able to talk about your art.
4. If you want a career in something art/design related you have to know how to write, which is a skill you don't always learn in high school.
5. Regardless of the type of art you are interested in, critical thinking is necessary, and can be developed in college, when you are slightly more mature and your brain has had a chance to finish developing (guys!).
6. When you major in art/go to art school you meet other like-minded people and you have those connections for the rest of your life.

Colors of Highlighters Currently Sitting on My Desk from Recent Use

• green
• blue
• pink
• yellow
• orange

bonus! pens:

• light blue
• green

Things You May Notice After Returning from a Sketching Symposium in Santo Domingo

1. You might think going from 90% humidity in Santo Domingo to 55% humidity in Memphis will feel good. You will be wrong.
2. You might realize that you are comfortable trying to communicate in Spanish right when it's time to leave. 
3. The day after you get back you might go to your regular lunch place and sprawl out your sketching materials and draw with your sketchbook on top of the table instead of in your lap.
4. You will probably also be confused as to why no one else there is sketching.
5. You might feel strange and sad to not be with anywhere from five to 130 other sketchers at all times.
6. You might feel strange and good to not be covered in sunscreen and sweat at all times.
7. You will probably check Facebook, Flickr and blogs all day long for proof that you were there, and that everyone else is as sad as you are that it is over.