Tell us a little bit about your journey as a young and developing artist.

As a young and developing artist, I have experienced much growth through my journey. I have always been interested in art since I was a little child, as both my parents have either sketched in their free time, or done crafty projects. As I grew older, I realized art was always an outlet for me, as it never stressed me out or was forced into my life. I soon became deeply invested into art, taking it more seriously through One River classes. 

Which has been your favorite project to work on at One River and why?

My favorite project to work on was a self portrait I made in One River’s Portfolio Development class. It was a piece that was really personal, and initially scary for me – I have never focused on myself in such an intimate way before. However, the discomfort enlightened me on the messages of my art, and made me realize what I wanted to give back to the world through my creations. This project gave me the intentions of wanting to make communities realize how powerful art can be when telling a personal story, especially with the support from the staff that saw me compose that piece. 

Describe One River in 3 words and tell us why

Creative, welcoming, and innovative. I would use these words to describe One River because it encourages individual expression through whatever style of art the student may choose, and has really focused on building an inclusive, community-oriented environment where all ages are given the comfort of exploring art. One River is really a school that is personalized for every student, and exposes individuals to both traditional and modern techniques. 

What would you tell people who’ve never dabbled in art making are the real benefits to trying it?

Art is so much more than just a hobby, and I wish more people understood how much of an outlet it can be. Trying art more seriously, such as the classes One River offers, can be such a personal process that teaches you so much more about yourself. I believe that if you have the passion to create, there is no wrong way to go about art. Art is not limited by any boundaries, and really teaches you your own limits instead. Trying it in a more focused context lets you learn your own skill, your own output to the world, and the limits that you can push for the future of art. 

What do you enjoy most or feel is helpful about taking more than 1 class at One River?

Taking more than one class really developed all aspects of being an artist – such as technical skill, creative expression, self-discipline, and concept development. I took the Teen Art Shuffle for the majority of my time in One River, which definitely solidified the technical basics of my art, and developed an instinct to always push the boundaries of any body of work I have made. However, when taking the Portfolio Development class, I experienced much more personal growth. I was able to discover how to communicate my message to the world: that attention to detail in art can powerfully enhance storytelling. I am determined to illustrate the story of my immigrant families and how it has shaped my own identity, and I would not have been able to learn that without the foundations and aid from One River.