An installation by Jsun Adrian McCarty at the 2008 MFA Graduate Exhibition.
international student ambassadors
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Annette Elverum Østby
Major: Painting |
Intro:
I’m from a small town in Norway, and moved to San Francisco in August 2010. In Norway, I worked quite a bit with my art and was also a member of a theatre/dance company for over 10 years. I'm very passionate about art, food, music, and travel.
Favorite thing about SFAI:
The huge variety of classes! Take advantage of the resources this school has to offer, and try out different classes even if they’re “outside” of your major. Also, the location of the school is great, with an amazing view of the city.
Favorite thing about San Francisco:
This city has so many great things to offer, I don’t even know where to start! All of the different cultures mixed into one city creates endless possibilities when it comes to food, history, music, festivals, and museums. There is a good vibe to this city, and the best advice I can give is to EXPLORE!
Contact: Annette_Elverum@hotmail.com
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Carlos Garcia Montero Protzel
Major: History and Theory of Contemporary Art |
Intro:
I come from Lima, a city in the coast of Peru, and love Peru's bio-diverse multiplicity. I always liked traveling more than almost anything, it is an obsession to me, so since I was very young, I decided to explore different cities and cultures around the world, starting with the ones in Peru. I have a creative writing practice but also a practice as a journalist and worked for many years as an editor. I also have a curatorial practice: in March 2011, I curated my biggest project, the retrospective about Reynaldo Luza (Peru, 1893 - 1978) at the Peruvian American Cultural Institute (ICPNA).
Favorite thing about SFAI:
My favorite thing about SFAI is the campus in Russian Hill. The view is just inspiring. I cherish how much I learned from my colleagues and teachers, and how much fun I am having. Of course it is not easy, nor perfect, but all that just makes the experience memorable.
Favorite thing about San Francisco:
As a Fulbright Fellow I was offered other, very attractive, possibilities for studying in America, but after discovering San Francisco—for me perhaps the most beautiful city in America—my only option was to experience living in San Francisco, at least for this period of my life. It is the kind of city, so cosmopolitan, that allows you to develop your own unique identity, at the same time that it is so alive, and that will charge you with the right energy. Last week I saw the film director and writer John Waters perform, and a month before, I saw performance bio artist Sterlac present a lecture. I just can't wait for the next experience.
Contact: cgarciamontero@gmail.com
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Saher Sohail
Major: History and Theory of Contemporary Art |
Intro:
I've been in San Francisco since August 2012, and this is the first time I've lived on my own anywhere in the world. I completed my undergrad from the National College of Arts in 2009 as a painting major, but now I'm attempting to become a historian.
Favorite thing about SFAI:
I've met some wonderful people and the best of friends among the student body, and the MA faculty couldn't be better! I have amassed so much knowledge in only one academic year, and this is all because of the wonderful faculty we have at SFAI. Other stuff: the rooftop at Chestnut on a sunny day, Claire Daigle's classes, exhibition openings on campus, napping in the MA lounge.
Contact: sahersf@gmail.com
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Sogol Rezvani Dehaghani
Major: Film |
Intro:
I am a dual citizen of Iran and Canada, so I have the experience of living in two different cultures. I did my undergrad in Tehran in Cinema Studies. I have made a few short films and worked as a screenwriter for a TV show in Iran. I am interested in dance and music, and I play the violin and a traditional Iranian instrument called Kamancheh.
Favorite thing about SFAI:
What I love about the school is the artistic liberal atmosphere. Everyone respects your choice and your point of view to art. They will lead you but not force you to do something. This is a thing that usually cannot be found in other places!
Favorite thing about San Francisco:
This is my second time in the United States. The first time I tried to visit some of the big cities in the country and since then I knew that if I ever wanted to be in the U.S., the city would be San Francisco. It is a multicultural city that no one would feel out of place in. You can live free no matter what your ideology or belief is. The society is warm just like the sunny weather it has. This is the most perfect city for a foreign artist!
Contact: Sogol.rezvani@gmail.com
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Heejin Jang
Major: Painting |
Intro:
Hello! I’m Heejin from Seoul. I moved to San Francisco in Summer 2011, to continue my painting practice at SFAI. SFAI has a prestigious history as one of the oldest art schools in the United States. At the same time, SFAI is one of the most progressive places in the experimental practice for contemporary art.
Favorite thing about SFAI:
I have met talented friends and enthusiastic teachers who inspire me to explore my practice in a better way. In addition, I have a variety of choice of classes, which helps me to study in depth with my drawing practice, and push my exploration further, for example, toward sound performance. Moreover, the Chestnut campus is amazingly beautiful!
Favorite thing about San Francisco:
What I like the most about San Francisco is that you can enjoy beautiful sceneries like hills, beaches, piers, and even sea lions everyday!
Contact: heejinflow@hotmail.com
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Marie-Luise Klotz
Major: Photography |
Intro:
I am from Germany, but grew up in Germany and the United States, so I feel at home in both countries. I studied photo design in Germany, moved to San Francisco in the summer of 2010 and will be in my second year of the MFA program at SFAI. These past two years have really allowed me to become familiar with the school and wonderful San Francisco, and in addition given me plenty of time not only to work on my photography but also enjoy the outdoors, food, music, and traveling.
Favorite thing about SFAI:
The faculty! It is great to have such a variety of acclaimed artists and professors available that are not only there to teach, but also supportive and open to students reaching out. All that situated on a beautiful campus on Russian Hill makes for a nice learning and art-making environment!
Favorite thing about San Francisco:
What I love most about San Francisco is the versatility: not only is it one of the greatest places to be to enjoy and make art, but there are also endless things to do once you want to get your mind off everyday life and relax. Whether it is spending time in the outdoors, hiking, relaxing at the beach, going to concerts and theater, exploring unique neighborhoods, or eating at one of the many incredible restaurants, the Bay Area has it all and this continues to amaze me!
Contact: marieluiseklotz@gmail.com
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Momo Yao
Major: Painting |
Intro:
Hello everyone, my name is Momo – easy to remember, isn't it? I come from Guangzhou, the third biggest city in China, where I studied philosophy and received my undergraduate degree.
Favorite thing about SFAI:
San Francisco is such a beautiful city and our campus is located in one of its best spots, Russian Hill. You will love it!
Contact: molly_greantea@hotmail.com
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Ceres Jiang
Major: Film |
Intro:
I'm originally from China and came to the Bay Area last summer to become a filmmaker. I have to say that SFAI was a perfect choice. No matter what kind of inspiration you are looking for, you can always get it here. It took me a short time to adapt to the lifestyle and way of studying here. When you become familiar with our institute and this lovely city, you will never want to leave.
Favorite thing about SFAI:
Every semester you are free to take different classes focusing on different areas. The construction of our courses is great. Here, you will not only learn what you need, but also something out of your imagination. Most of the professors here are really established and very approachable.
Favorite thing about San Francisco:
I traveled from East to West Coast several times in past year. So far, I have visited around 10 larger cities. Trust me! The Bay Area is no doubt one of the most interesting and vibrant places to study and live in the entire United States. This city itself offers a pleasant combination of modernism and natural landscape.
Contact: jiangcheng19880929@gmail.com
