SCAD Graduate Calvin Scott redefines mental health and art

Written by Kaitlynne Rainne, Photos courtesy of Calvin Scott, Graphic by Colleen Miller

The COVID-19 pandemic rocked the world for many college graduates, leaving many of their plans in uncertainty. For SCAD Graduate Calvin Scott, B.F.A. photography 2020, it was another whammy on top of what had already been a tumultuous year. But to him, it was also an opportunity to break a common belief held amongst the artist community. He took time to share his experience and what he’s learned from it hoping that upcoming SCAD graduates can connect with his advice. 

Scott’s senior year involved packing up his dorm room more times than he could count. “I went to Savannah for the first quarter, then left for New York and then left for Tampa, where I am now. My mom unfortunately passed away my senior year so on top of everything that happened with COVID, I also had to deal with losing my mom and selling the house. It was crazy.” Scott said. 

The time of tragedy and chaos left Scott with a gratitude for being a photographer and for a space like SCAD which allowed him to turn his hobby into a career. Being surrounded by peers and faculty that understood the craft and took it seriously gave Scott the opportunity to really develop his own style and trust himself at a time when he needed it the most. 

“You know in high school, when you’re the only art kid and everyone is wondering why the heck you want to study it? Yeah, see at SCAD, I’ve realized everyone, including the professors have had someone say that to them at one point. We moved forward as a community proving those people wrong,” said Scott. 

What was once ridiculed as a career choice is the very thing Scott has been using to cope with what’s been going on: photography. Recently, he has done a lot more personal projects about his Mom and family. To him, he wouldn’t know what he would have done if he didn’t have a camera around his neck. He also started therapy — part of his journey he wants to share advice on. 

Having graduated, Scott has taken time to take a step back and focus on his mental health. He has taken a minute to reflect, to talk to people and really acknowledge the accomplishment he has just made. “College is huge, ” Scott said. “You’ve just accomplished this huge thing. Good. Now, take a break, do something you want to do. Help yourself and learn to be quiet before the next step.” 

What if students need to take that break before they cross the finish line? Scott encourages it. He made an emphasis on taking time to realize that as a person, you are allowed to be where you want to be and if needed, going at your own pace is a good thing to do. Where Scott hit the nail on the head was with what he shared next. 

“It’s important to be a healthy artist,” Scott said. “The craft is draining. There’s this belief that you have to be broken to make good art. No. That’s toxic. You don’t need to be broken to make your work. You are allowed to heal and work through things. In the end, it’ll teach you how to access things to push your work forward. To understand why you do what you do in the way you do it.” 

As artists, it has been imperative that we are in touch with our emotions. Some may see it as being burdened with seeing the world differently. Scott acknowledges that and believes that there is a healthy way to do so, which is why he urges graduates especially to take a break after it all ends and why he encourages the idea of “consume daily, love daily, create as needed.” His philosophy is to consume art every day and to find new ways to be inspired rather than forcing yourself to create every day. In the past year, this has allowed Scott to take the inordinate amount of chaos in his head and structure it. He can now recognize the beauty between him and his craft. 

Scott’s advice rings true for any student, regardless of their major. Take a breath and sit in the enormity of an accomplishment such as graduating college. Move forward in spite of chaos, allowing that journey to be an influence. In the end, it all keeps going. Every step is a step forward and respecting that is when it becomes art. 

For Calvin Scott, a tumultuous senior year, a global pandemic and taking the time to focus on his mental health gave him the chance to realize something about art we all tend to forget. Something magical that happens between the artist and the art. 

“There’s this dance, a human connection. A chance to just be honest,” said Scott.