For me, art began in a laundry room in Florida. Listening to the rhythmic sounds of our washing machine, I spent hours in my makeshift studio. I loved all the time I spent there, working diligently with a fistful of crayons in a Little Mermaid coloring book, or making neon masterpieces out of dried pasta and glitter glue. As I got older and went off to kindergarten, I proclaimed I wanted to be an author and an illustrator, and carried some version of that desire with me all the way to Northwestern University. There I am a Journalism and Art Theory and Practice double major, and I tell people I study writing and coloring, which I think kindergarten me would approve of.

From my first memories of finger painting to college oil painting, art has always brought me the same contentment and enjoyment, which is why I chose to study studio arts in Florence this fall. Being able to study something I love in a stunning city known for its great works of art is something I could never have even dreamed of, sitting in that little laundry room so long ago. With one year of Italian and almost 20 years of art behind me, I am excited for Firenze and the beautiful adventures I hope to have there.