TeenLife 2023 Guide to Performing & Visual Arts Colleges

What Did You Hope to Get Out of Your Time at
University of Arizona, and Did You Achieve It?
I didn’t know what art school was going to be like when I
first began my program, so I didn’t have much of an end goal
besides becoming a professional artist. Now in my fourth
year as a student, I understand what this question means. I
hoped to get and have earned critical mentorship. Art school
teaches you how to make art, but mentors will teach you how
to write, speak, give you tips on perfecting your craft, show
you new artists, etc. They will show you what you will need
to do to sustain yourself. Talk to all of your professors and
keep talking. Get to know the ones that you feel the most
connected to and they will help you learn most.
University of Arizona
College of Fine Arts
GEM ELENA ABARCA
IN MY
OWN
WORDS
Why Did You Choose to Attend the University
of Arizona?
I had a calling to come to the University of Arizona.
I can’t tell you what it was ... maybe it was
the strong emphasis of curiosity and community
from the university, my breakfast, or the proud
representation of the Latino culture in Tucson
that made me feel at home. But when I stepped
onto the university’s campus, I had this warm,
flooding feeling go through my body that started
in my chest, and a voice in my head that said,
“Here. You will find yourself here. You have to
come here.” Everything else fell into place. I fell
in love with the city and the campus by how it
could feel just large enough for you to explore and
find new people and opportunities, but just small
enough for you to feel connected to the community,
people, and the location.
I came into my first year being an engineering
student, but it was only a matter of time before
I became serious with myself and took a leap to
follow my passion and dream of being an artist.
Did You Have to Prepare for This Program in Any Way?
I’m not sure. In many ways, I dived head-first into the art
program. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew that I wanted
to be an artist. So, I gave my classes my all by embracing the
prompts given for projects and finding ways to challenge myself
by using new material, finding non-traditional ways to accomplish
a goal, or twisting the prompt. In another way, I prepared
for this program by cooking under the pressure of needing to be
myself. I have always wanted to be an artist since I was a child,
but the world makes you think that it is impossible and that you
should get a degree in something that will earn you money even
if you hate it, because at least you have money.
My entire first-year experience consisted of me daydreaming
about art, staying up making art, and searching for art
internships when we were supposed to look up engineering
internships. Looking back, I should have gone straight into
art right out of high school. However, being in a space where
I could not be my authentic self was the period of time I
needed to become determined in what I truly wanted to do,
who I wanted to be, and taking that leap.
What Was a Typical Day Like at the University of Arizona?
Running. So much running around campus. Getting from
my campus job at the Center for Digital Humanities located
in the middle of campus to my studio classes at the edge of
campus, spending the next six hours at the school of art with
two back-to-back studio classes, finding a second to breathe
between them … it’s so fun. Not to mention that often
you’re running into friends as you’re doing all this running.
And they’re running too! At the end of the day, you’re
exhausted, but it’s a fulfilled exhaustion. You’re physically
tired, but not emotionally. Always allot [space] for bad days
and be kind to yourself on those days. Just because you’re
following your heart doesn’t mean it’s going to be paradise.
6 | 2023 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO PERFORMING & VISUAL ARTS COLLEGES