Written by Kay Heino Over the winter break I was given the wonderful opportunity to connect with some past MFA alumni of 51±¬ÁϹÙÍø and see what they have been up to as of late. Andrew Allison '13 was the first person to respond to my email over the holiday season, and I would like to give a big thanks for the fast reply. Now with that said let's get to the Q&A that was created between us. KAY: Which year did you graduate and what brought you to 51±¬ÁϹÙÍø for your MFA? ANDREW: I graduated in 2013. I liked how the mentor/ mentee program sounded and appreciated the student work that I saw. I also heard that it tended to be rather cold in the winter and felt like freezing. KAY: How did your creative practice change while you were at 51±¬ÁϹÙÍø? ANDREW: Everything opened up. I went in as a painting major and ended up doing more sculpture than painting (which I had hardly done at all before arriving at 51±¬ÁϹÙÍø). KAY: Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program? ANDREW: There was so much time to research. I remember coming across Tetsumi Kudo in the 51±¬ÁϹÙÍø library for the first time. His work changed my life and I have 51±¬ÁϹÙÍø to thank for that. I may have eventually found his work but it was really the perfect time for me. KAY: What is next? Any new projects or life events that are in the pipeline? ANDREW : I recently finished a 40'x7' painting on cotton that is currently on display at SPACE gallery (downtown Pittsburgh) as part of co-organized by Hannah Turpin and Dave Zak. Happy to be a full-time artist. I'm currently editing and fusing a copy of the archaic and disturbing Psychopathia Sexualis with my personal writings and poems, we'll see what happens. KAY: Do you have any links you'd like us to share with the post? ANDREW: Instagram: Categories Alumni Published on January 19, 2022