Michael McCardwell

Born into a working-class family, I worked my way into college.  I have been lucky in finding colleges, fellowships, grant programs and contests that have encouraged me.  All my life, I have worked in a number of jobs (high school and college teaching/ construction, stain glass apprentice/cutting tobacco, teaching in a prison/being part of a co-op gallery, etc).  I think the experience of being both inside the academic world, but outside that world has allowed me to see both worlds with perhaps a non-traditional view and the ability to value both.