2025/26 Merit Scholarship Recipient: Kasandra Suarez

How/why did you choose your major?

It is funny how I vividly I remember my high school teacher saying, "You are an Illustrator," and it all made sense where my artwork can take me as an Illustrator.

Describe the work you submitted for merits.

The 10 artworks I submitted for merits was the artworks I've made since enrolling to MCAD. From Intro to Illustration all the way to what I'm planning to showcase for Senior year. Through my time at Minneapolis College of Art & Design, I've had the chance to collaborate on various school projects that have helped me hone my skills in storytelling, graphic design, illustration, and animation. I’m passionate about designing characters that feel real and creating stories that connect with people, no matter their background or age.

Why did you decide to come to MCAD?

Out of all the colleges I applied to, MCAD was the college to give me and continues to give the most aid. In fact, colleges make it mandatory to have your own computer but I've never owned a computer but with the help of my admission advisor I was recommended to submit my high school portfolio to MCAD before December and I was qualified for a paid mac computer for my studies.

What are your plans for your senior year? And beyond?

My plan as a Senior is to create a finished written and illustrated children book. I have created my own character and want to developing a mini-comic for it. Keep an out for some posts on my website!

Favorite thing about college life (so far)?

Currently very happy with MCAD’s community of artist. My artwork is fueled and inspired by all the artists that I am surrounded by on this campus. Everyone experience is welcomed and appreciated, in high school I was told college won’t care about my mental state or feelings but I’m glad to say they were wrong. MCAD staff care and they are helping me through my journey as an artist.

What inspires you?

I currently have a work-study at the Service Bureau, I have access seeing students and staff prints. I always see what everyone is creating and there always a print that makes me go, “OH! Damn that’s cool, I should try making something like that.” If I have the opportunity to work here that means I should be making the most out of it!

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

My favorite piece is both colored spreads I created for my children's book class. Children's books are key for me to express my inner child experience through my original characters. I wanted to try a looser style for the illustration and created a spread ‘Page 1 & 2’ and ‘Page 21 & 22’ introducing my main character Kasi. The story is written from the perspective of an 8 year-old Latina girl who is introduced to a new roommate, which is future me, referred to as ‘Mira’! The story is inspired by my own childhood and understanding change in a living space but also physical change, inserting myself as a character to interact with my younger self personality. Taking a children book illustration course I was able to get constructive feedback on considering the gutter, text within illustration, creating your own story, even if we dedicated three weeks on this project. I became so invested in children's books that I created a habit of reading children books every week to see what stories I possibly could make. For my project I looked back into children's media and continue to visit the library to see what stories are there that are not being told, because I want to ensure I can provide that for our future generations.

Anything you're obsessed with at the moment?

I obsessed with working at my studio, during winter I rescued a few plants and have been growing them at my studio. Ever since my studio has become a small greenhouse. They remind me to stay hydrated and stay connected to nature.

Lastly, do you have a favorite question we didn't ask? Tell us and answer it!

Where are you from? I am a Latina artist from Miami, Florida! Yes, I am crazy for coming from the sunshine state all the way to Minnesota. However, I got to experience all four seasons, turns out I love Autumn and especially Spring!

What's the best thing you've found on the Free Shelf?

If one gives to the free shelf, it gives back. I found a cute turqiouse wall shelf/ hanger. It's small but it is so strong, it can hold my bag, scarf, jackets, keychain, and my plants.