photography chair profile

Ellen Skoro

Coordinator, Photography
MFA, Minneapolis College of Art and Design
BFA, Columbus College of Art and Design

Teaches
Traditional Color Processes
Photo Professional Practices
Introduction to Photography
Introduction to Studio Thesis

What do you love about the discipline that you teach?
For me, photography is an intuitive way to interact with the world. I love the process of connecting with the camera and wielding it as my own personal window (or mirror, depending on how you look at it.) All students of photography experience that magical moment when their images begin to appear in the darkroom, and I always enjoy sharing that thrill of discovery with them.

How would you describe your discipline to an incoming student?
Photography is a relatively young medium, and as such it is still being shaped and defined by its practitioners. Whether someone is working in a commercial or fine art context, in digital or analog media, photography is about communicating ideas. The boundaries of the discipline are always expanding, so it’s a dynamic department to be a part of!

What do you hope to teach a CVA student?
My hope for CVA students is that they understand that art doesn’t just happen on its own; it takes motivation and curiosity to keep the wheels turning. I always hope to see students honoring their talent and ambition with the discipline and inquiry it deserves.

How do you prepare your students for their professional practice?
Getting students out into the real, professional world always has a positive impact. By meeting working artists and designers they can see that the creative community is indeed a tight-knit, supportive one, and their fears of “making it” are demystified. Students are able to visualize themselves among the movers and shakers in the community and beyond.

In addition to teaching you're also a practicing artist. Tell us about that.
It’s not always easy to get into the studio when you’ve been teaching all week! But maintaining a studio practice keeps me limber and reminds me of why I went into the visual arts in the first place. Taking my own art practice seriously makes me a sharper, more critical and empathetic instructor.

What does CVA do better than other art and design schools? What's unique about CVA? Community is key at CVA, and our students consistently receive individual attention to their projects and goals. We are also fortunate to have newly revamped photo labs with equipment most students at other schools never get the opportunity to use!