10 Questions for our alumni
Chris Scamehorn, BFA, Studio Art (Ceramics), 2006
1. Why did you choose to attend Grand Valley?
I chose Grand Valley because of the great teachers and the facilities.
2. How or why did you choose your major or main emphasis area?
I have always loved working with clay. I was a transfer student from KVCC that wanted a BFA in Ceramics.
3. What advice do you have for future students thinking about colleges?
Make sure that your college is accredited. I graduated from KVCC after 2 1/2 years and had to start over because they were unaccredited. Everything they offered transferred to Western Michigan University. It took me 7 years full time to get a BFA. (KVCC and GVSU)
4. What advice do you have for current students thinking about careers?
Try to figure a way to incorporate what you’re passionate about into what you want your career to be.
5. What did you do after graduating?
I framed art at LaFontsee Galleries then went off to grad school at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where I received my MFA in Ceramics.
6. What are you doing now?
I am managing and teaching at Seward Park Clay Studio in Seattle, Washington. I also sell my art at Pike Place Market in Seattle.
7. How have you used the skills you developed in your field of study in your life and/or career after GVSU?
Overall, the skills I developed from GVSU helped me become a better artist and thinker. I started my own gallery and clay studio in Illinois and Iowa. I taught ceramics for 5 1/2 years at Everett Community College. I still make art regularly and market it.
8. What is the best advice you got from an instructor at Grand Valley?
So much good advise and guidance from Daleene Menning.
Make a
1000 of them. - Hoon Lee
9. What is your favorite memory of being a student at Grand Valley?
I had the Freedom to create 24/7 in the facilities. Calder resident life was incredible.
10. Anything else you would like to share with our Visual and Media Arts Community?
Be cautious on how much you take out in student loans. I didn’t realized it then how long it would take to pay off. Always keep pushing yourself to become the next evolution of yourself whatever it is. Don’t fear it, embrace it.
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Image Credit: Chris Scamehorn. You can see Chris' work
on chrisscamehorn.com,
connect with Chris on LinkedIn by searching Christopher Scamehorn,
follow Chris on Instagram @cmsceramics, or visit
Chris' Etsy shop at CMS Ceramics.
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