Villa Maria College to host 2nd annual 'Portfolio Day' Oct 20

Villa Maria College will be host its second annual "Portfolio Day" on Thursday, Oct. 20, beginning at 10 a.m. The event will take place in the Student Center on its campus located at 240 Pine Ridge Road, between Walden and Genesee streets.

"Portfolio Day" was designed as a forum for furthering the artistic development of young artists in Western New York and preparing them for presenting their portfolios in consideration for acceptance into leading art institutions. During this event, high school art students will have the opportunity to present their work to art department faculty representing many different colleges, including Cleveland Institute of Art, Savannah College of Art and Design, Syracuse University, and a number of local and regional colleges, including Villa Maria, sponsor of the event.

"Portfolio Day" will educate students on what college art departments look for during the admissions review process, especially given the growing number of colleges that require portfolio submissions as part of their admissions criteria. Students will meet with faculty representatives from whichever colleges they choose to select at "Portfolio Day." These faculty members will advise students on presentation of their work and make recommendations on how to improve portfolio content in order to maximize the chances of being admitted into the college of choice.

While the event is geared primarily toward juniors and seniors, all area high school art students are welcome to attend. Attendees will also have the opportunity to tour the Villa Maria College campus and view its technologically advanced art studios and labs. Two, two-hour portfolio review sessions will be offered, one at 10 a.m. and one at noon. School groups should contact Villa Maria.

Individual students are welcome to attend and should also contact Villa Maria in advance of Oct. 20. Contact information and registration forms are available at www.villa.edu/portfolio_day_2011 or by calling 716-961-1815.

Located in Buffalo, Villa Maria College is a private, co-educational Catholic college that specializes in the applied arts and music. The college grants both baccalaureate and associate degrees in multiple academic disciplines, including animation, business administration, fashion design and merchandising, graphic design, integrated arts, interior design, interior design assistant, liberal arts, music and photography.

An open house will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11. To register, visit www.villa.edu/visit. For more information, call 716-961-1805 or email [email protected].