2026/27 Merit Scholarship Recipient: Ashton Chonticha Bailey

Why did you decide to come to MCAD?

I wanted a private art school that didn't have a ruthless culture, but the same hard work as is expected of art schools. As well as, MCAD is a smaller and more tight-knit community.

How/why did you choose your area of study?

Growing up I was always interested in telling my own story, whether that was through writing or art, and Comic Art is my personal favorite way to combine the two.

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

I'm working on a comic I've been developing for a while in Comic Storytelling, and thumb nailing it is preparing me well to actually finish and publish some pages. I'm very excited to fully realize ideas that have been floating in my head for too long.

Describe the work you submitted for merits.

I submitted my most recent and best comic works that I felt represented me well.

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