What is something you learned at SVA that you’ll always take with you?

I learned that if you have an idea, try your best to put it into fruition regardless of its size or if others feel you won’t finish it. You’re not at SVA to make masterpieces or do groundbreaking work; we all need time to step back and take in that we’re just students and we need time to learn and practice. The pieces I’ve made barely fit in my small corner studio, and somehow I ended up making a few seven-by-12-foot pieces. I made it happen myself because I wanted to learn, and regardless of a project “failing” you should always try your best to have a mindset of, “This is going to happen because I believe in it and it’s going to get done.” It’s not anyone else’s education but yours.

Was there a teacher or course that was essential for you?

I think taking John Newman and Sabine Flach was one of the best decisions I’ve made at SVA. Immediately walking into both of their courses, I felt seen and heard. They had nothing but endless knowledge to give—honest and critical feedback and suggestions. Sabine is so intelligent and warmhearted, and welcomes everyone with open arms and somehow understands. She helped me open my eyes to different ways I can view my practice and I’ve seen her do the same for others who I know felt lost or confused about what it is they wanted to say. John Newman is super-critical and what I would call “tough-love.” There hasn’t been advice he gave me that didn’t make me realize that there are so many more ways to view the world, and what I wanted from painting. He made me feel heard and believed in me. Even now, after graduating, he still gives me advice and stays in contact.

What was your favorite piece of advice that a teacher or student shared with you?

John Newman made me realize that I struggle like many others with confidence in myself and the work I make. Like many of my friends, he made me realize that I need to get out of my head and step back to see what I’ve done and be proud of it. I’m still trying to learn to put myself out there instead of wanting to hide, and not to overthink everything. Just like now, he tells me that I need to breathe.

What advice do you have for next year’s students going through your program?

Reflect on what you care about and where that idea stems from. Ask questions while you can and take time to appreciate the staff around you (security, maintenance, your faculty). Everyone’s journey is different, and we all go through it, feeling alone or having struggles now and then. I’ve come to realize that on the roughest days, the relationships I built with individual staff or other students paid off when I interacted with them and they uplifted me with their energy, even if just a little, and they don’t even know how much that mattered. Also, find a comfortable schedule for yourself, that helps you balance. Make room for something that allows you to breathe too.

For last year’s SVA Alumni Scholarship Awards, a record 74 students were chosen from a pool of over 212 applicants. They were granted scholarships worth more than $60,000 for projects as varied as design products, animation, painting and photography. For more information about the Alumni Scholarship Awards and to see a complete list of last year’s recipients, click here. Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, and to Support the Talent this year, you can make a donation online at sva.edu/give.