School of the Arts: Creativity and camaraderie converge in the North Woods
Younger students relish the experience
Two of the handful of 20-something students attending School of the Arts says they are gaining a lot from the experience and wish more of their contemporaries would take advantage of the program.
Melissa Olson, 23, of Madison, says the week “jump-started” her fiction-writing efforts. A journalist, Olson just recently began writing fiction and says she appreciates “having other people around to ask about it.”
Dean Liska, 27, of Weston, says he came to the workshops with plot ideas and goals. “That added depth to what I’ve been learning,” he says.
Although most students are considerably older, Liska says that hasn’t been a problem. “It’s been easy to ask questions and make friends with new people,” he says. “And I appreciate the experience they offer — that’s why I’m here. I want to learn.”
Liska says he thinks the opportunity to have access to UW-Madison instructors is well worth the cost of the seminars.
Olson is among the students given a scholarship to attend. “They really care about making it possible for you to be here. That’s the best attitude ever,” she says.
— Pat Schneider