Hanging out after an art opening at the Maryland Institute, College of Art, Baltimore, MD. 1976

We just stumbled on photographer Paula Gillen‘s amazing photographs of MICA students in the 1970s (when Gillen herself attended the art school). They’re disconcerting, in that they clearly come from a bygone era of omnipresent cigarettes and grainy film (instead of grainy Instagram filters), but a quick browse also reveals that today’s art students don’t look all that different. Odds are, though, that they bought their Bowie t-shirts at Urban Outfitters instead of at a concert. Some of our favorite blasts-from-the-past are below; check out Gillen’s whole flickr set here.

Photo by Paula Gillen circa 1979.
Shot at School 33 session, Michael T, is wearing what he calls my “salad dressing” outfit holding globe.
Shot at School 33 session, Michael T, is wearing what he calls my “salad dressing” outfit holding globe.
The band “Da Moronics” poses in front of the store front, Odorite Pest Control, circa 1978.
The band “Da Moronics” poses in front of the store front, Odorite Pest Control, circa 1978.
Cindy Heidel performing in a giant plastic condom at the Maryland Institute, College of Art. Circa 1977.
Baltimore, MD. Circa 1976.
Bonnie B poses in her apartment with her “Fun Encyclopedia” Maryland Avenue apartment, in Baltimore, MD. Circa 1979.
Bonnie B poses in her apartment with her “Fun Encyclopedia” Maryland Avenue apartment, in Baltimore, MD. Circa 1979.
Grace Zaccardi sits in the swank living room of 203 Mount Royal Avenue. Baltimore, MD. 1979.
Performance group, B.O.M.B. [Baltimore Oblivion Marching Band] gathering before an event in front of 203 Mt. Royal Ave., 1979

(Photos/captions by Paula Gillen)

One reply on “Amazing Photos of MICA from 1970s Prove That Art Students Have Fun, Look Cool”

  1. “… from a bygone era of omnipresent cigarettes and grainy film …” — and mullets!

Comments are closed.