I grew up in Shanghai, one of China’s most international and creative cities. International perspectives were part of everyday life for my generation. Studying abroad was also a familiar path for many families. Influenced by this environment, I came to the United States in 2013. After more than a decade here, I became a U.S. citizen in 2025. Living between different cultures has shaped how I understand belonging. It has also shaped how I approach unfamiliar environments. As an immigrant, I have experienced the uncertainty of entering a new cultural and social landscape. I have also seen how art and culture can provide comfort and help people feel connected. These experiences shaped my belief in creativity as a way to support well-being, enrich communities, and create meaningful cultural experiences.
My academic journey reflects my interdisciplinary perspective. I first earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Boston University. I then pursued a second bachelor’s degree in Visual Studies at Ringling College of Art and Design. Art has remained a central part of my life. I create visual work which spans drawing, illustration, and animation. I also constantly share reflections on food, art, and culture across multiple platforms.
One of my longest-running projects is Kaleidowanyi, which means all kinds of art. It is a WeChat-based cultural platform that I have developed for nearly a decade. For me, creativity is both healing and empowering. After graduation, I worked as an Account Manager at Open Kitchens in Chicago, where I developed skills in operations, client management, and project coordination. These experiences showed me how creativity and management can inform each other.
Over time, I became increasingly certain that I wanted to build my career in the arts and cultural sector. The Bolz Center’s MA in Arts and Creative Enterprise Leadership provides an ideal environment for combining my creative and business backgrounds. Through its management education “and specialized coursework, I am strengthening my leadership skills and developing a deeper understanding of the arts and cultural sector. The Applied Learning Projects also allow me to apply what I learn to real-world challenges faced by arts and cultural organizations. Together, these experiences help me better understand the field and become more actively involved in the professional arts ecosystem.
This year, I am working as a Communications Assistant at the Nancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture, which focuses its research on design, material culture, and textile traditions. Through this role, I am gaining hands-on experience in arts communications and exploring how cultural research can be shared with broader audiences. It is also giving me an opportunity to learn more about curatorial work and exhibition projects.
After completing the graduate program, I hope to begin my career in curatorial practice. I am interested in working in museums, galleries, or in the public art area. At the same time, I plan to continue developing my own creative practice through illustration and writing about art and cultural experiences. Being part of the Bolz Center has strengthened my connection to the arts and encouraged me to keep creating alongside my professional work. In the longer term, I hope to develop Kaleidowanyi into an artist-centered organization. Its work would focus on artist development, cultural communication, curatorial and cultural projects, and creative partnerships. Building on its origins as a platform for sharing art and cultural stories, I envision Kaleidowanyi as a space where artists can gain visibility, build meaningful connections, and grow their audiences.
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