Why did you choose to attend UM?
When I visited Ole Miss, it not only felt like home, but like the perfect place to dig deep into my
creativity. When researching the area, I saw both a flourishing art community in both the town
and the department.
When and how did you choose your major(s)/minor(s)?
While I tried a million different sports and gave my other classes my whole effort, art always felt
like the one thing I was truly working for; the only thing with an end goal. Any time I considered
something else, it felt like I was deceiving myself of what I was meant for.
What would you tell a high school student about your major? What is most important for them to know if they’re interested in pursuing that field of study?
If you truly want to make something you're proud of, you're going to need to be willing (and to
expect) to put the hours in. In the end though, it's worth it, whether you continue down this path or
not.
Why is your department a special place?
A few semesters into my time with the art department, I felt as if I was starting from the
beginning. I wasn't sure of my abilities, motivations, or message. It's also because of this
department that I was able to learn these things about myself and can create more authentic
work now.
Can you tell me about a professor or a class you’ve taken that has had the most impact on you?
Taking Plein Air during the May intersession with Philip Jackson and Brooke Alexander truly
shook me to my core. It took me out of my comfort zone, and I had to buckle down like never
before. Despite being short, it changed my painting process drastically. Through a different lens, I
was able to reevaluate what my personal work needed.
What has been one of your most memorable or enjoyable moments at UM?
Getting to sell art and work at the Double Decker Arts Festival with the Pixel Press: UM Print &
Photo club was an absolute joy. It felt like a glance into what I want my future to be.
What do you hope to do after you graduate? What are your career goals/ plans for post graduation?
After completing my undergraduate at Ole Miss, I plan to go to Graduate school to study for an
MFA. I want to do this not only to pursue art independently, but to become a professor
(hopefully).
Apart from school, how do you spend your time in Oxford? What are your hobbies, favorite places to go, etc.?
When I have time to spare, I love making something new if I can find an ingredient at Chicory
Market that catches my eye.
What is one thing you wish you knew as an incoming freshman that you’d tell your past self (about the general college experience)?
Just knowing that I made the decision to pursue art would have changed a lot for younger me, but
the biggest thing I would have advised myself to do: just go for it! One of the best things about art
is the community. Don't be shy. Dive after it and cherish it!
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