Yaren Yildiz is a 1st year MFA candidate in Ceramics
Why did you choose UMass Dartmouth/CVPA to begin with?
My answer is undoubtedly the Star Store. The Star Store was not just a building for me… its location, the wide range of equipment offered to artists, and most importantly, its spirit....
What you have lost thus far, educationally, creatively, personally?
I came from far away, from Turkey, for pursuing my MFA degree in Ceramics, UMass Dartmouth. Unfortunately, I learned that Star Store would be closed 10 days before my flight to America. I was so disappointed that it is impossible to describe in words. I have never been to America before and I was very excited for my new studio, the new friendships I would make, and the giant ceramic kilns that I had not had the opportunity to try before!
However, my excitement was replaced by a feeling of uncertainty... It is not about only space, it is about the place you work makes you feel, and undoubtedly its atmosphere makes the artists motivated, and knowing that's where to work…
Ceramic is just like a baby... It wants you to take care of it, water it, touch it and take care of it every day. I need a studio that I can easily access to start my studies and continue regularly, just like in the Star Store, I need to feel the 'togetherness' with my friends and the entire faculty.
What made you decide to organize and try to save the Star Store? Why was it was important to your education/creative life?
It was my main motivation for applying to UMass... I remember my feelings during the application process so clearly! I was at my home country, Turkey and when I saw Star Store on the school's website, I immediately rolled up my sleeves and started researching Star Store.
I realized that it was the Star Store that made New Bedford a ‘city’. The exhibition area, the kiln rooms, the size of the studios and their proximity to each other impressed me because, as someone coming from Turkey, I needed to produce/think together with other artists. Star Store provided all of these generously.