LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT with Laura Fisher

Laura Fisher ’22 MFA in Drawing is featured in the April edition of LOOP, the PCA e-newsletter. She told us why she loves studying here among other things.

When we asked Fisher why she fell in love with us she replied, “The faculty, hands down. There are many teachers at PCA that will absolutely go the extra mile for their students. This was evident during reconfinement, when the faculty fought to allow students in disciplines which require PCA’s facilities to be on campus. When I have an unconventional idea that I want to try, I’ve had so much support from instructors…” Fisher continued, “this kind of personal attention and dedication never fails to amaze me.” Read on for Fisher’s full interview.

Where do you call home?

I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, but I would actually say I felt more at home in Chicago, where I lived for a number of years before moving to Paris.

What inspired you to study at PCA?

I knew I wanted to go to grad school to facilitate a big shift in my professional career (in the past I owned a wedding photography business), and I knew I didn’t want to go to school in the US again. I checked out a bunch of different schools in the EU and interviewed at schools in France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, but as soon as I visited PCA I fell in love with it. I was also impressed that I had the option of pursuing an MFA at PCA, as most schools in the EU are MA degrees only. I don’t romanticize Paris—I’ve spent enough time here to know that it’s not quite how it’s marketed in TV and movies, but it’s really grown on me.

What do you feel is the most valuable thing you’ve learned or what has moved you the most about your program at PCA?

The faculty, hands down. There are many teachers at PCA that will absolutely go the extra mile for their students. This was evident during reconfinement, when the faculty fought to allow students in disciplines which require PCA’s facilities to be on campus. When I have an unconventional idea that I want to try, I’ve had so much support from instructors to help me make it happen. As someone who went to a huge public university for undergrad, this kind of personal attention and dedication never fails to amaze me.

What is the most interesting or exciting element to you in regard to living & studying in Paris?

The art world functions very differently in the EU than it does in the US. There are so many grants and funding opportunities here in France (and some specifically for foreign-born artists!). There are also bountiful galleries and exhibition spaces in Paris, but the art scene here feels relatively intimate—it’s not too big of a family, even though it’s a hub for new and innovative and successful artists right now. I hope to stay in Paris after I graduate, I’m happy with the life I’ve built here so far and excited to see what the future holds.

You can follow Fisher’s Instagram and see more of her work on her website.