"Exploring the beauty and power of words through traditional and non-traditional literature, visual art, theatre, and film."

Art is the ultimate self-improvement book and video package. In the words of Rilk's poem, "The Archaic Torso of Apollo," art prompts us to change our lives. Art points out the flaws and hypocrisies in our thoughts and goings, and guides us toward a purer, saner way of living. To say that art is ultimately non-essential is to say that we should never examine our lifestyles; we should never think about where our actions are leading us and how those actions affect others. It's saying that we should always accept the status quo, even if it doesn't make any sense, and that we should do what we want without regards to personal and communal goals or morality. That same kind of mentality discourages us from attempting to understand our fellow man and his struggles. That's the kind of mindset that starts wars. If that's what a life without art produces--blindness, listlessness, violence--then I want no part of it. That's why I'm an artist.

Words live on my tongue. They pulsate in my mind and in my fingers. I loved to write even before my kindergarten teacher asked me to compose a poem for the school literary magazine. I have known my career goal as a wordsmith ever since my third grade teacher held our first Writer's Workshop. The needs to draw and perform have inhabited my heart just as long. Today, I try to combine these passions by creating interdisciplinary art. I just plain write, but I also seek opportunities for my words in the performing and visual arts. I write monologues, skits, and plays that I or other actors perform; I write and illustrate my own comics; I make collages that feature my original writing, drawings, and photography; I work as an alternative model and then accompany the images with text. VCU's Glasgow Artists’ and Writers’ Workshop would be the perfect chance to explore the full potential of my words, collaborate with other creative types, gain inspiration for future pieces, and make the right career connections.

I have several goals if I am selected for the Glasgow workshop. The over-arching goal would be to improve my writing and see new possibilities for words in the visual and performing arts. More specifically, I would want to reach certain intellectual and professional goals:

Intellectually, I would read and learn as much about Scotland's art and literature traditions as I could, aware that all and any of it could influence my future projects. The vast majority of what I as an American student have studied about the United Kingdom concerns England, not Scotland. I want to familiarize myself with the UK's other face to form a deeper knowledge of and appreciation for Scotland. A custom, an idiom, a song--the simple details of everyday Scottish life would change my perspective on the world and, thus, my perspective on art. Completing workshop assignments, going to readings and exhibits, and attending all field trips would, of course, broaden my understanding of the new culture. But much of the learning process would also involve spending time in the city and meeting native Scottish citizens. I want to take note of the architecture, the food, the theaters, the accents, the libraries, the churches, the student life, the art galleries, the cinemas, and everything else that I can possibly observe with a camera around my neck and a notebook in my hand.

My goals for VCU's Glasgow Artists and Writers Workshop would fall in the professional realm, as well. I hope to meet other ambitious writers and artists who would like to collaborate on projects when we return to Richmond. I would also like to network with Scottish artists and writers, and perhaps become pen pals with my favorites. Some of the most exciting art projects result from pair or group work. They blossom from idea exchanges and the artists' unique personal experiences.

All in all, I feel positively overwhelmed with the creative opportunities that await me in Scotland. These opportunities are my purpose.