Stacey H. Brown

Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild graduate

Stacey H. Brown was just beginning to think about her future when she entered Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, where she discovered that she possessed a talent and a passion for art.

Nuturing Her Talent

“As a freshman at Schenley High School in Pittsburgh, a recruiter came to my art class to see if anyone was interested in taking free photography or ceramics classes in an after school program, so I signed up. I knew that when I graduated, I would continue on to college, but I had no real direction. I had never thought about what I was going to study in college or do when I graduated. As I began taking classes at Manchester, I realized that I had natural talent in the arts and was receiving actual training in something that could lead to a career. The faculty at Manchester helped me develop a passion and skill in the world of art. I began taking advanced classes in art at Schenley, and working on my art in my spare time.”

The Transition to College

Stacey is currently a Career Advisor at the University of Maryland, and she feels that her experience at the Guild has made a significant contribution to the success she has achieved in her career.

“Manchester had a program that allowed select students to visit college campuses during the summer. I attended Indiana University of PA, Slippery Rock, and Penn State for their intensive art summer programs, which gave me the opportunity to see what it was like to major in art, as well as make valuable connections with college personnel. During my second summer at IUP, I met the dean of the art department who offered me a full scholarship to IUP. I graduated from IUP in 1999 with a BA in Fine Arts. I also earned a M.A in Student Affairs in Higher Education from IUP. As a student struggling to define who you are and where you are going, Manchester was one of the few places that you could go and do something you love and be yourself. There were always people there to encourage you and open doors that would lead you down the path of success. As a student there, my peers and I probably took the outstanding facilities for granted. But having attended several institutions, I am now more aware of what the Guild has to offer, which is far superior to many universities. The opportunity was also something that many students do not get to experience.”

Supporting Others to Find their Paths

Stacey finds that her own interaction with students is a reflection of the values she learned and the relationships she cultivated while at Manchester.

“I not only developed a passion for art which led to me pursuing a degree in Fine Arts, but I also found a love for working with students and the desire to help them achieve their goals in life, much the way Manchester did for me. My twin sister became interested in art through the same program and went on to receive a full scholarship to IUP and graduate with a BA in Fine Arts, and M.ED in Education and certification in Art Education. I also have friends from Manchester who are among my closest today that I would never have met without attending the classes and summer programs. "

Stacey's Advice

"When an opportunity to be involved in a program like Manchester comes along, you should take it and learn all that you can from it.”