I am honored to have been awarded the Grand Prize at the 17th Annual Santiago Canyon College Student Art Show (2026).

The annual exhibition brings together student work from across the college's art programs and is reviewed by a faculty jury. Receiving the top award from the Art Department is especially meaningful to me because it comes during a period of significant transition in my career and creative life.

After several years working as a User Experience Designer and Design System Lead, I returned to formal art education to reconnect with the visual and creative side of my practice. Over the past year, painting has become an increasingly important part of my life, allowing me to explore personal ideas, atmosphere, memory, and storytelling through color, light, and composition.

This award is an encouraging recognition of that journey and motivates me to continue developing my artistic voice. I am grateful to the faculty members, jurors, and the Santiago Canyon College Art Department for their support and for creating opportunities for emerging artists to share their work.

I look forward to continuing this path and building on the momentum this recognition has provided.