After earning a BFA from a liberal arts college and working in advertising for three years, Peter W. Brooke knew that he wanted to paint. He also wanted to immerse himself in the art world. Peter said that one of his goals was "to meet visual artists and see what they were doing and how their work manifested itself so I could develop a reasonable understanding of my own expectations."

He chose MICA because "there were no limitations on what I could do - video, sculpture, painting, assemblages.... I didn't want a traditional situation where I would be drawing figures all day. The program was vital and changing. It gave me two ‘golden years' of experimentation."

Today, Peter is a full-time painter, working on his "meditative landscapes" from his studio in South Royalton, Vermont. Since 1991, he has been showing heavily in both one-person and group shows, primarily on the east coast, as well as in London and Ireland, where he has had a returning fellowship at the Ballinglen Arts Foundation.

Of giving to MICA, he says that it was the first school with which he felt like he had an "identity connection." Living in Vermont, he also "can't physically be a part of what goes on at MICA, but my connections run deep, and giving is one way that I remain connected."

While Peter says that the Mt. Royal program "opened his eyes to the possibility of trying to succeed in making paintings," there was practical element. Peter also thought he might want to teach. He served in an assistantship with Christine Neill (MICA professor of fine arts) and taught every term he was at MICA.

"The value was in observational interaction, course organization, thoroughness, professionalism and setting expectations. I learned what it took to be a good teacher and thanks to MICA, I had 12 great, productive years of teaching."

Even as a graduate student, Peter appreciated what he calls the "non-artistic" courses - humanities, philosophy, art history. "They give you a way to put your work in context and allow you develop a relationship to the broader world."

"No matter what, if you are seriously considering being an artist, someone who defines themselves by creativity, you'd better know what's going on in the world around you."

The continuing recipient of grants and awards, Peter has had his work featured in numerous books and periodicals. He is currently the only painter whose work is included in "H2O Film on Water," an exhibition mounted by the Great River Arts Institute, and he has several additional shows planned in New York and London through next year.

In addition to staying in touch with faculty and administration and serving on the Alumni Council, Peter's many connections to MICA include a 2000 group exhibit at the Decker Gallery for the 25th anniversary of the Mt. Royal School, and "Naturally Inspired," a joint show with his former professor, Christine Neill. He also discovered an unexpected connection when he recently changed representation. His current New York gallery, David Findlay Jr., also represents the nationally known painter Herman Maril. Maril, who lived from 1908-1986, received a degree from MICA in 1928.