Art has given my life so much meaning, and I knew from childhood I would find my way to a creative career. For years, there were few things I would rather spend my time on than my next painting project or drawing study. It was not until high school that I discovered my passion for the performing arts as well, participating in several theater productions and our 28-member vocal jazz ensemble. Through theater and vocal performance, I gained tremendous confidence and found my voice – literally.
Maybe surprisingly, while the arts were always my number one, math was a close second favorite subject in school, even when it was difficult. For me, this meant a career in Architecture was the clear choice when it came time to decide on a program to pursue in college. It was purely by chance that I ended up meeting someone who had studied Landscape Architecture, and told me about the profession shortly before my college applications were due. It did not take much to sell me on the idea, it felt like the perfect blend of art, science, math, and public service that I was looking for.
I ultimately graduated from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign with my Bachelors of Landscape Architecture (BLA) in 2015. 2 years later, I made the move to Madison, WI, where I have been practicing ever since. I currently work as a Landscape Architect and Project Manager at Saiki Design, where the majority of my focus has been on college campuses including UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, and UW-Stevens Point.
While my career in Landscape Architecture has been rewarding and challenging in many ways, and given me the opportunity to develop my design and technical skills along with management and construction administration, I found myself missing the fine arts piece of my life. I was drawn to the Bolz Center Program not only for the practical business education it provides, but also its focus on the arts and non-profits sector. The program felt like the piece I was missing, my path back to the arts. Through the Bolz Center, I can broaden my business skillset, and bridge the gap I was feeling between art and my design career.
I hope to leverage my experience as a Landscape Architect with my newly-acquired skills from the Bolz Center program to continue supporting the arts in Madison, a community that has continued to give me so many opportunities to grow.
Categories: