Feature: The journey of creation artist Makala Price
There are plenty of great artists out there, but when it comes to creativity and originality, Makala Price is the front-runner. Price is a junior fine arts major with a concentration in studio art, or as she calls it, “creation art.”
“There’s a lot of different types of art, but studio art is the physical creation,” Price described.
Price enjoys the freedom and liberties that can be taken when creating art on campus: “It’s like my own little escape. I can go into painting or drawing or my ceramics class and not know what I'm going to make. I kind of go with the flow and go with how I feel that day; think about nothing and just see what comes out of it.”
Price remarked that she doesn’t begin with a plan, that “a lot of it is trial and error.”
“I just kind of start working and see what comes out of it,” she said.
Price transferred to USC Aiken from Tennessee, where she was an animation student. She makes an hour and a half drive from her home to campus every day since transferring. For her, the small environment and opportunities at USC Aiken make up for the long drive.
Price expressed the desire to move to a smaller campus. “I was looking at a ton of different colleges trying to figure out which art program I wanted to go to, and I came from a big college and decided I wanted something smaller. I have a lot more freedom than I would at other schools.”
She praised the professors on campus, stating they are “always there to help you grow and help you do what you want to achieve.” She also commented on the “freedom” USCA provides compared to larger universities.
While a talented studio artist, Price also has many more creative outlets. She particularly enjoys black and white film photography and shooting on the shores of Lake Murray right outside her door. She has also photographed weddings. One art technique Price finds especially intriguing is spray paint art.
“I was kind of inspired. There’s an artist who uploads on a YouTube channel named Sketch Art. He does spray paint art and that's kind of my favorite thing at the moment.”
Price offered some final words of wisdom for students who may be reluctant to pursue a creative degree.
“I know it’s hard to follow through with it but don't be scared to try. You’re not going to be great at a lot of different things but ... don't be afraid to fail.”
Price plans to get a master’s in art education and share her creativity with future generations.
