2022 Merit Scholarship Recipient: Makayla Smith | Minneapolis College of Art and Design

2022 Merit Scholarship Recipient: Makayla Smith

June 30, 2022
Image
Portrait of Makayla with plants

She/Her
Sophomore, Fine Arts Studio
Foundation Merit Scholarship $2,000
Liberal Arts Merit Award Scholarship $2,000
Online Portfolio
Davenport, Iowa

Describe the work you submitted for merits.

I submitted a variety of work from my foundation classes that show the diversity of media I used and explored. Some of my work consists of charcoal, watercolor, gouache, wood, and digital media.

Why did you decide to come to MCAD?

I decided to go to MCAD because of its diverse community, financial aid offer, and it seemed like the best place for me to grow as an artist to succeed in my future career!

Abstract portrait with a black background and shapes/plants surrounding the face

What's next for your practice? Anything you're really excited to make?

I'm super pumped to finish my painting final and be in a photography class next semester! I love taking photos and have been doing photography on the side but I haven't had the opportunity to take an actual photography class before I came to MCAD. I'm excited to make larger prints at the Service Bureau!

Favorite thing about college life (so far)?

My favorite thing about college life so far is the community and being able to continue to learn and grow as an artist. I also really love going to the Mia with friends and exploring Minneapolis. OOUUoo and finding cool things at the free shelf.

What inspires you? 

Nature really inspires me as well as my friends and peers.

Still life drawing

Do you have a favorite piece you've made? Describe it!

I can't choose a favorite but it would either be a piece I did for my Intro to Painting class of my dog Willow and me! I've never done a self-portrait in oils and it was quite a learning process. Or a mixed media portrait of my sister for a class assignment in Foundation: 2D.

Anything you're obsessed with at the moment? 

Collecting glass jars for my plants, dinosaurs, the chocolate muffins at the MCAD Cafe, color harmonies, frogs, watching the lightning from the big windows on 4th floor, and collecting stickers for my phone case.

Who is an artist that made a big impact on your life?

My high school art teacher Nick Digioia.

Pencil drawings of plants