Kayla Cooper
During my time in the Meredith AIR program, I found myself in a much more confident place with my art. I ended up trying things I never thought I could pull off, and with the encouragement of professors and mentors, I was able to see those risks turn into successes. Having that kind of support made me feel braver in my work, and I started to see myself as an artist in a new way. Conversations and feedback from professors and other creatives also pushed me to think in new directions. I was able to see my work in a broader context and truly push my art to its highest contextual potential.聽
Currently
I am working a full-time job in sales while saving up for graduate school. Although my job isn鈥檛 directly art-related, I find myself applying skills I strengthened during the residency, especially creative problem-solving and managing projects from start to finish. Most importantly, the AIR experience reminded me of the importance of making space and time for my art, which I continue to prioritize outside of work.
Future
I hope to pursue graduate school to deepen my practice and continue to explore themes of women鈥檚 rights and autonomy in my work. I also aspire to continue growing my small business of polymer clay jewelry while developing larger-scale sculptural projects. Ultimately, my goal is to build a career that balances art-making with community engagement and personal growth.聽
