Student finds calling through trial and error

Photo by:  Karon Parrish

McKinney

   When Laura McKinney first came to the University of Arkansas – Monticello in 2000, she had no idea what would be in store for her. 

   “I was going to major in wildlife management but got out of that. So I took a bunch of classes, and decided I liked the art classes,” said McKinney, senior art major from Warren.

   Since making that decision, McKinney has honed her skills as an artist and has become noticed around UAM. 

   “Laura’s work is very unconventional. That’s why we chose her art for the Foliate Oak,” said Brad Hill, senior and editor of UAM’s literary magazine.

   “I do mostly paintings and drawings – a little bit of everything. I like messy thick paints and don’t like to stay within the lines,” McKinney said.

   After graduating, McKinney hopes to be employed as an art teacher, despite not having a background in education. She plans to enter the Masters of Arts in Teaching program at UAM to gain a foothold in the job market. Her hopes also rely on the Arkansas Department of Education to increase the minutes allowed in public schools for art in a bill that is currently in the Arkansas Senate.