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November 10, 2016Senior Nia Germany knows a good opportunity when she sees one. When her VASJ art teacher, Mrs. Brittany Simmons, told her about the artWORKS apprenticeship opportunity at Tri-C metro, she knew she wanted to apply.“I was excited because it was a chance to get a different perspective outside of the classroom,” Nia says. “I really like it so far.”
The award-winning artWORKS is an arts-based job training and college readiness program for 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students in Northeast Ohio. Students are enrolled as paid apprentices to train under the guidance of master teaching artists, who mentor them in designated art forms while also teaching them 21st century skills.
Nia travels to Tri-C Metro’s campus twice per week from 4:30-7:30 p.m. for the program. Her designated art form for the fall session is visual arts which includes character designing, creating a storyline and graphic design.
“It is difficult,” Nia says. “It is my first experience doing graphic design.”
The introduction to graphic design and learning advanced computer programs such as Adobe’s Photoshop and Illustrator, as well as the challenge of writing storylines and developing characters is pushing Nia outside of her art comfort zone.
“It is broadening my style of work,” Nia says. “I’m usually really safe with my work but this is different.”
It is also Nia’s first experience studying art in a collaborative way.
“I am used to working alone with my art,” Nia says. “With this program you have to learn how to work together so your product will be successful.”
The apprenticeship experience allows students to develop time management, professional communication, problem solving, and critical thinking skills, which are transferable to any workplace or college. Students also participate in workshops that focus on financial literacy, resume writing, financial aid applications, and interview skills.
"I'm excited that Nia took advantage of artWorks. This is a great opportunity to create additional pieces for her portfolio, while also learning digital art software that she does not have access to in class."
Juggling the artWORKS program with her senior year at VASJ and her activities such as cheerleading and Student Ambassadors, as well as her other part-time job, is difficult and leaves very little free time for Nia. But she knows it is worth it.
“I have to remember it is going to benefit me in the long run but it is difficult to balance everything,” Nia says. “It is more like a college-level course and gets you prepared for what field you might possibly go into.”
Nia plans to go into the field of fashion design or fashion merchandising. VASJ art teacher Mrs. Brittany Simmons knows she will do well in anything she does.
"Nia is a phenomenal art student,” Simmons says. “She has taken art all four years here at VASJ, and many of her projects center around current clothing trends. I can definitely see her being successful in the field of fashion design/merchandising one day if she chooses to pursue it in college."
