Rather than attend ninth grade, Young chose to pursue an artistic education under local artist James Taylor Harwood, John Hafen, and Edwin Evans.
He had initially applied to the University of Utah, but his application was denied because he had not graduated high school.
Instead, Young worked in a curio shop and a stationary shop to make money for lessons with Harwood.
However, he was delayed in attending lessons due to a necessary appendectomy.
Harwood was unimpressed by Young, believing that he was a lazy artist and did not work hard.
Young's philosophy, however, was that there is no virtue in working hard, but rather thinking hard.
Furthermore, Young liked to quickly sketch an observation which he would later turn into a drawing, but being a traditionalist, Harwood viewed this technique as cheating and an "artistic crime".
Although Young had not yet sculpted in class, one day, Young and a classmate sculpted the mask of Laocoön with details from the David and Laughing Faun.
Young was not trained in sculpture and had not sculpted since he was five years old.
Despite his lack of experience, his instructors praised his sculptures and his natural talent.
However, he would not sculpt again until he studied in Paris.
Young saved money earned as a Salt Lake Tribune portrait artist, but took his subsequent demotion to an engraver as a blow to his ego.

Using the money he saved, he attended the Art Students League of New York between 1899 and 1901.
In New York, Young was fascinated by the Industrial Revolution and decided that he would make art to reflect the themes of the Industrial Revolution.
At the Art Students League, Young took classes with George Bridgeman and Kenyon Cox.
He began using realist techniques; he would look at artistic models quickly and then attempt to draw his or her memorized features.
Although Young disliked Bridgeman as an instructor, Young maintained a spot as second in the class.
In contrast, Young greatly admired Cox as an instructor.
During his time in New York, he suffered from insomnia, which he attempting to remedy by reading Shakespeare and magazines.
Young lived on a tight budget and spent most of his time studying or attending art exhibits.
After running out of money, Young had to return to Salt Lake City after eight months instead of his intended nine.
Rather than attend ninth grade, Young chose to pursue an artistic education under local artist James Taylor Harwood, John Hafen, and Edwin Evans. He had initially applied to the University of Utah, but his application was denied because he had not graduated high school. Instead, Young worked in a curio shop and a stationary shop to make money for lessons with Harwood. However, he was delayed in attending lessons due to a necessary appendectomy. Harwood was unimpressed by Young, believing that he was a lazy artist and did not work hard. Young's philosophy, however, was that there is no virtue in working hard, but rather thinking hard. Furthermore, Young liked to quickly sketch an observation which he would later turn into a drawing, but being a traditionalist, Harwood viewed this technique as cheating and an "artistic crime". Although Young had not yet sculpted in class, one day, Young and a classmate sculpted the mask of Laocoön with details from the David and Laughing Faun. Young was not trained in sculpture and had not sculpted since he was five years old. Despite his lack of experience, his instructors praised his sculptures and his natural talent. However, he would not sculpt again until he studied in Paris. Young saved money earned as a Salt Lake Tribune portrait artist, but took his subsequent demotion to an engraver as a blow to his ego.
Using the money he saved, he attended the Art Students League of New York between 1899 and 1901. In New York, Young was fascinated by the Industrial Revolution and decided that he would make art to reflect the themes of the Industrial Revolution. At the Art Students League, Young took classes with George Bridgeman and Kenyon Cox. He began using realist techniques; he would look at artistic models quickly and then attempt to draw his or her memorized features. Although Young disliked Bridgeman as an instructor, Young maintained a spot as second in the class. In contrast, Young greatly admired Cox as an instructor. During his time in New York, he suffered from insomnia, which he attempting to remedy by reading Shakespeare and magazines. Young lived on a tight budget and spent most of his time studying or attending art exhibits. After running out of money, Young had to return to Salt Lake City after eight months instead of his intended nine.
Mahonri Young