This summer, I was given the opportunity to explore various forms of art and digital design during a creatively intense pre-college program at the Academy of Art. My storytelling class focused on creating short films, interviewing, and documenting everyday life. A series of community-based assignments encouraged me to interview members of my community, who shared photos and stories of their family’s relocation to the Bay Area during WWII.
In my photography class, we were encouraged to be creative and use our imagination. Our class would often venture around the city capturing images highlighting happiness, nature, and social issues. Before attending this program, I was unsure if being a photographer was a feasible career path. In addition, I had very little information regarding art-centered universities. This experience has confirmed that my dreams are possible, while highlighting and introducing me to various mentors, youth artists, and creative/academic resources. I would encourage students interested in pursuing art as a possible career path to consider attending this program because it is committed to helping students explore a diverse world of art. 

On the first day, I was extremely excited and eager to experience each class and meet other youth artist. I was surprised by the tech resources that were given to each student. We were encouraged to use these resources with creativity throughout the program. My instructors were very engaging and shared tips and advice for those considering art as a career path. During my photography course, we were encouraged to capture, fifty pictures in various forms of natural light in two days. This was assignment was challenging and lots of fun.
Here are a few photos from a recent assignment

I am extremely excited about sharing ideas and photography with other youth artists this summer. I am eager to attend the pre-college summer program held at the Academy of Art University. I plan to experiment with a variety of artistic mediums during this amazing six week program. I am slightly nervous about sharing my work in an unfamiliar setting. I trust that I will quickly feel comfortable, and hope to receive many helpful tips and suggestions to further develop my craft. I have yet to create a portfolio for my photography. It is an important tool for both beginner and mature artists. It will be a challenge to successfully create a dynamic portfolio in just a few weeks. I welcome the task and look forward to learning how to properly document my work. I intend to overcome this challenge by becoming familiar with how to create a portfolio before the start of my program. Thank you again for helping me attend this program!

Thank you so much for your generosity! I sincerely appreciate your encouragement and support. I would be unable to explore my passion for photography at the Academy of Art, without your kind donation. This donation will help me to develop my photography skills in addition to experiencing amazing pre-college art courses. You’ve helped me out tremendously. Thank you.