True Passion by Sophia

True Passion by Sophia - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

The colored pencils, jagged-edge scissors and the bright, patterned scrapbook papers scattered the counter in front of me. My mother’s arts and crafts box overflowing and displaying a mess of creativity. I would sit for hours creating and making, satisfied in my own world of endless possibilities. Since I was that little three year old girl, I have continued to explore and create, so much so that I know it must be a huge part of my life, a career.

Yes, some would say the arts are a hobby; however, creating has helped me through some of the hardest times in my life including the bullying that I endured in middle and high school. I have suffered from depression and anxiety. The main way that I cope is through expressing my emotions in artwork. I love to create pieces that show how I truly feel. I become my most vulnerable self when I am alone, creating. As a result, only raw emotion is portrayed in many of my pieces. Demonstrating feeling through art makes the artist, as well as the viewer, feel accepted for their emotions.

I believe that the works I create, as well as my process, could help others that have also gone through challenging circumstances. With my ambition to create, I have been able to inspire others, create artwork for my community, and meet new people. For example, I did portraitures for the loved ones of hospice patients. Though many of these family members had a tear in their eye when they received their piece, they expressed it made them feel less alone in time of grief. Additionally administrators have sought me out to bring inspiration to students by livening the halls of Herron Riverside HS; by making appealing covers for our yearbook, and adding color, joy and meaning to everyday drab objects such as a pair of white canvas shoes.

Art is at the core of me. I know I am here to create and inspire. Therefore, pursuing art in college is my goal and passion.