Hi everyone! I'm not sure I've mentioned specifics before but this past year I have been working on applying for grad school and for the last couple months have been waiting around to hear if I got in. I applied to 4 schools, my preference was the one I went to for undergrad and where I currently live, with my second choice in Toronto. I was waitlisted at one school, accepted to Toronto, and totally rejected from my current school. So all in all, I'm happy because I got in to school, and at my second choice, but I'm also really intimidated with regard to finding a new apartment, moving, and getting used to a new city. The city I live currently is a decent size but quite tight knit, with everything close by. I'm planning to move as close to University of Toronto as possible, so I'll be right downtown in the thick of things. I grew up near Toronto but it's quite different being right downtown, and on my own. Moving is scary, starting school again is scary, and having to get used to a new place is scary. So I'm stressed, but also really excited! I think the only reason I was intending to stay in Kingston was that I'm comfortable here, and not necessarily that it's better. Plus, Toronto is much bigger, I have several friends there already, and there's more access to events, concerts, and things like that. It's definitely a step forward for me, and even though it wasn't my initial preference, I think I'm going to be thankful that things worked out the way they did in the end! I've been in Kingston 5 years, time for a change!

The program I'm going into is a 2 year professional program with no summer. It starts in September, but along with moving and wanting some time to do personal projects, I am closing my commissions as of June 15th. If you want to get in before they close, make sure you contact me within the next month. I will not be keeping any sort of waiting list after that date. It's possible in the future that I'll be taking a slot here or there, and after the 2 year program is up I may open commissions again, but I'm not planning that far ahead yet. I will, however, be continuing to do sculpture, and will likely still sell things on etsy from time to time. It's just custom orders that are closing; from experience I have learned that I cannot keep reliable deadlines for myself while in school.

Thanks for reading!
Janine