Wendy Alders Cartland Visual Arts Scholarship

My journey into education and the visual arts began with adversity. I was told at a young age by medical professionals and vocational rehabilitation counselors that I was not capable of pursuing higher education due to my disability. I was advised to settle for a limited future and not pursue what I loved. But instead of giving up, I used that doubt as motivation to prove what I already knew, that I was capable of learning, growing, and achieving meaningful goals. Through perseverance and the encouragement of people who believed in me, like my family friend Carole, her husband Howard, and caring educators, I earned my associate degree in business and art, a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Arizona State University, and I am now completing my Master of Education in Special Education. I also plan to pursue a second master's degree in Art Education so I can merge my passion for creativity with my calling to teach. Because of my experiences, I am deeply committed to giving back to students in under-resourced communities, especially those with disabilities or learning differences. I believe that visual arts can be a transformative tool for these students. Art is more than a subject; it is a way for young people to explore their identity, communicate their emotions, and build confidence. For students who may struggle with reading, writing, or verbal expression, visual art provides a powerful alternative pathway to learning and self-expression. In communities with limited access to quality educational resources, students are often left without opportunities to explore creative outlets. I plan to change that by creating inclusive, culturally responsive art programs that celebrate diversity and accommodate different learning styles. Whether through adaptive tools, differentiated instruction, or trauma-informed teaching practices, I will ensure that every student can fully participate and feel seen. I want to use my training in special education and art to create safe, supportive environments where students are encouraged to take risks, express themselves, and discover their potential. I envision classrooms where students work on collaborative mural projects, explore mixed media, and engage in art-based activities that connect to their communities and personal stories. These experiences can foster not only creativity but also connection, healing, and resilience. Giving back means being an advocate, a mentor, and a role model. I will support my students not only academically, but also emotionally, showing them that their voices matter and their dreams are possible. I’ve lived the experience of being told “you can’t” and have transformed that into “I will.” Now, I want to help my students do the same. Receiving this scholarship will help me continue my education and bring me one step closer to building classrooms where students in under-resourced communities can flourish through art. I am ready to use every part of my journey, every challenge, every success to uplift the next generation and ensure that all students, regardless of background or ability, are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

As a Catholic kindergarten teacher with a strong background in Special Education, I believe in the transformative power of visual arts to reach and uplift all children, especially those in under resourced communities. My personal and professional journey has shown me time and again that art is more than just a creative outlet; it is a form of communication, healing, and self-discovery. This belief is rooted in my own family and was solidified through my academic and teaching experience. Growing up, my youngest sister, who is on the autism spectrum, taught me one of the most valuable lessons I have ever learned: that words are not the only way to communicate love, joy, or understanding. We bonded through art. While spoken language sometimes failed us, our shared creative moments allowed us to connect deeply. Whether we were painting side by side or working on crafts, those experiences brought light and laughter into our home. Witnessing how art helped her express herself inspired me to pursue my degree in Special and Elementary Education. While studying at Arizona State University, I explored this passion further by researching the impact of visual arts and art therapy on neurodivergent children as well as English Language Learners. My studies revealed just how powerful visual communication can be for children who are still learning to find their voice or who experience the world in unique ways. Art became, in my eyes, not just a helpful tool but an essential form of equity in education. In my own classroom, I carry this belief with me every day. As a Catholic school teacher, I value the holistic development of every child spiritually, emotionally, academically, and creatively. I incorporate visual arts into nearly every subject I teach, finding ways to bring color, texture, and imagination into our daily learning. Whether we are illustrating stories, creating emotion collages during social emotional learning time, or using mixed media to explore science and nature, I am constantly weaving in art as a bridge to deeper understanding. For many of my students, especially those with learning differences or language barriers, art offers a sense of pride and possibility that they may not always find in traditional methods of instruction. I have seen children who struggle with reading light up during painting sessions, and students who are quiet and withdrawn come alive while sculpting or drawing. These moments remind me why I chose this path and why I am now pursuing my MFA in Art Education. Receiving the Wendy Alders Cartland Visual Arts Scholarship would help me continue this mission. With advanced training and deeper knowledge, I plan to expand my outreach to youth in under resourced communities by creating inclusive, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate art programs. My goal is to help every child I serve discover their creative voice, recognize their worth, and believe that they are capable of achieving anything they imagine. Through art, I hope to offer the same light, connection, and confidence that my sister and I found so many years ago with a box of crayons and a blank sheet of paper.

I came to the United States just in time to start kindergarden. My early memories of art revolve around the innocent need to create and share happiness with my family. At the time, I wasn’t aware that the support from my parents when I drew came from the joy they felt that I was in an environment that encouraged creativity. Apparently, the school system back in Ecuador is different. As I got older, I learned that not everyone is given the same freedom to express themselves and why my parents' effort to contribute in nurturing this new environment was important to them. I began to understand that the role of the arts extended past personal expression and got an appreciation for its role in representing communities and in paving the way for social change. I have been captivated by its ability to shape, provoke, and transform society ever since. To make my contribution to the existing efforts driving progress, I am pursuing Arts Administration and Policy programs for my graduate studies. As an undergraduate student, my class: Art History: Methods and Research introduced me to the potential that arts administration has to bridge gaps and promote inclusivity. This drove me to seek an opportunity as a gallery assistant at The Fine Arts Center Gallery from my university. Its art exhibitions and cultural events feature students and local artists, serving as a space that shows work from underrepresented groups and promotes conversation around social issues. This gave me hands-on experience in planning, promotion, and management. The exposure to the intricate workings of the arts industry in a culturally diverse setting also showed me the impact that thoughtful administration has on a community. However, it was during an internship at Davis Square Park, a local nonprofit organization, that my commitment to this field truly solidified. Working alongside passionate individuals who were dedicated in making the arts accessible to underserved communities, I witnessed how well-crafted programs and initiatives could empower individuals from all walks of life, providing them with a platform to express themselves and engage in cross-cultural dialogue. This experience reaffirmed my belief in the transformative power of art and solidified my resolve to pursue a career in Arts Administration. As I enter my graduate studies in Arts Administration at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, I am interested in advocacy and social justice within the art world. Growing up in this Chicago since the age of five, I have personally witnessed its diversity along with the imbalance of resources that limit representation and opportunities across varying neighborhoods in Chicago. My goal is to aid underrepresented communities and their creative expression like it once helped me. The program's emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and its strong connections to the arts community align with my aspirations to collaborate with artists, organizations, and policymakers in shaping the future of our society. Looking ahead, using my position as a leader within the arts administration, will help me provide opportunities to communities that are lacking in resources and create spaces for young children and artists to learn more about art. My journey into Arts Administration and Policy has been driven by a profound belief in the power of the arts to inspire, connect, and remodel communities. I am excited to become part of this field and continue to learn and grow. Pursuing my graduate studies at SAIC will give me the knowledge and experience to shape me into a leader in this field that can make a meaningful impact.

My passion for art and storytelling has always driven me to create illustrations that capture the rich cultural histories of people and communities. Growing up as an Indigenous Latine woman, I have seen the power of stories in preserving cultural heritage, but I have also observed the barriers that prevent under-resourced communities from accessing opportunities in the visual arts. These experiences inspire my goal to give back to youth by using my skills in art and anthropology to foster cultural pride and understanding. My family has faced many challenges, including financial hardship. Both of my parents were incarcerated while I was in high school and preparing for college, forcing me to put my education on hold as my family struggled to support themselves. During this time, we all chipped in to help one another. Though I dreamed of attending art school, I knew it was unrealistic at that time. However, starting at community college has allowed me to rebuild my confidence and access fundamental art education in a more accessible way. I believe art is essential for everyone, but especially for those who are struggling. Art offers a means of expression, a way to honor stories, and a way to envision a limitless future. I incorporate this theme of accessible expression with the kids I interact with. I plan to give back to under-resourced communities by creating art that tells the stories of diverse cultures while empowering youth to see themselves in those stories. One of my long-term goals is to create a children's book or comic that reflects the diversity of our world, making cultural narratives accessible to younger generations. By focusing on underrepresented voices, I hope to inspire children from marginalized backgrounds to take pride in their heritage. In addition to creating accessible art, I want to preserve cultural heritage through archiving and education. I aspire to become an archivist, preserving and sharing the histories of diverse communities. In this role, I hope to empower young people to understand the importance of their own history, instilling pride and purpose. My educational journey, which includes plans to attend the University of Arizona to study both art and anthropology, will equip me with the skills and knowledge to make these dreams a reality. I am committed to giving back to under-resourced communities, creating pathways for youth to access the visual arts and connect with their cultural stories. However, achieving these goals comes with financial challenges. While I am grateful for the financial aid that covers my tuition, I still face significant needs for school supplies and living costs. As a tutor, I find fulfillment in helping students, but my income is seasonal and unpredictable. Additionally, I assist my sister with her mortgage, further stretching my limited finances. Despite relying on food stamps and Medicaid, I continue to struggle to make ends meet while focusing on my education. Additional financial support would allow me to concentrate on my studies and future projects without the constant worry of covering living expenses. This support would also enable me to save for future educational pursuits, ensuring I can continue my work in the visual arts without interruption. By alleviating this financial burden, I will be able to focus on giving back to under-resourced communities through my work in art and anthropology. This scholarship would empower me to fulfill my goal of using art to inspire and uplift youth, helping them connect with their heritage and discover their potential. Through my work, I hope to break down barriers that limit access to the visual arts and provide mentorship for marginalized youth.