Jessica Amanda Qualls—Alumna, 2005
“It is simple to be a follower, but it takes courage, strength,
authenticity and a sense of self to become a leader”
The Inside Story
I’ve always felt that in some way I wanted to positively influence people, for themselves and for the betterment of society. I had an epiphany when I first began to work on my portfolio: I knew that I would be able to touch anyone with my art. My pieces work and educate the human mind, provoking it to wonder and question.
This is why I take such immense pleasure in art. It is the act of creating that excites me, and the observer’s question that satisfies me. This is one of the greatest elements of artistic expression. The possibilities of reactions to any thought-provoking idea, theory or circumstance are countless and controversial. These are reasons why I have such a great conviction about my work and other people’s work, because everyone has a voice and through their art a “voice is given to the voiceless” (Danny Glover). The best thing to do in life is to follow what you believe in and always put your soul into whatever you do. My thought process could be summed up by a quote from Lord Alfred Tennyson’s Ulysses: How dull it is to pause, to make an end, to rust unburnished, not to shine in use! As though to breathe were life!
You must suck the marrow out of life, but never choke on it.
Current Status
Currently, I am a first year undergraduate at Cornell University, working towards a dual degree in Fine Arts and Government.
Career Path/Artistic Path
Knowing how to express myself articulately—mastering the art of word will inevitably help me in whatever I do in life. An education helps artists to think for themselves, to manipulate their knowledge and apply it to their art. The exposure to other areas will make a person more open-minded and artful. I look forward to guidance from my professors and other pupils and plentiful opportunities for internships and studies abroad. Traveling to other nations, particularly those countries where I will be able to submerge myself in the culture, will enable me to do in-depth research and investigations on any of the topics I choose to develop in my artwork since I revel in socio-political and racial issues in all cultures. The ability to do such research is mind-boggling. These types of experiences in college will help me to further decide on what kind of art profession I should pursue. The exploration that I will take part in college will help mold me into the person and artist I hope to become. Upon graduation, I will attend law school.
With my degree in fine arts, I hope to become a working artist and establish art centers in neighborhoods in need of such facilities. Here, children and adults will explore and maximize their artistic skills and have exhibitions in the centers’ galleries, producing great confidence and a new love for these people, especially the children. My love for art and law will take me along many paths in my life, but if either one helps contribute to the world’s positive prospective outlook, then I will rest with gratification.
Exhibitions/Awards
Art work exhibited in the Brooklyn Museum (Spring 2004, 2005), in the Margulies Collection at the WAREHOUSE (January 2005) and the National Museum of Women in the Arts (June 2005).
Recognition through The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
“It is simple to be a follower, but it takes courage, strength,
authenticity and a sense of self to become a leader”
The Inside Story
I’ve always felt that in some way I wanted to positively influence people, for themselves and for the betterment of society. I had an epiphany when I first began to work on my portfolio: I knew that I would be able to touch anyone with my art. My pieces work and educate the human mind, provoking it to wonder and question.
This is why I take such immense pleasure in art. It is the act of creating that excites me, and the observer’s question that satisfies me. This is one of the greatest elements of artistic expression. The possibilities of reactions to any thought-provoking idea, theory or circumstance are countless and controversial. These are reasons why I have such a great conviction about my work and other people’s work, because everyone has a voice and through their art a “voice is given to the voiceless” (Danny Glover). The best thing to do in life is to follow what you believe in and always put your soul into whatever you do. My thought process could be summed up by a quote from Lord Alfred Tennyson’s Ulysses: How dull it is to pause, to make an end, to rust unburnished, not to shine in use! As though to breathe were life!
You must suck the marrow out of life, but never choke on it.
Current Status
Currently, I am a first year undergraduate at Cornell University, working towards a dual degree in Fine Arts and Government.
Career Path/Artistic Path
Knowing how to express myself articulately—mastering the art of word will inevitably help me in whatever I do in life. An education helps artists to think for themselves, to manipulate their knowledge and apply it to their art. The exposure to other areas will make a person more open-minded and artful. I look forward to guidance from my professors and other pupils and plentiful opportunities for internships and studies abroad. Traveling to other nations, particularly those countries where I will be able to submerge myself in the culture, will enable me to do in-depth research and investigations on any of the topics I choose to develop in my artwork since I revel in socio-political and racial issues in all cultures. The ability to do such research is mind-boggling. These types of experiences in college will help me to further decide on what kind of art profession I should pursue. The exploration that I will take part in college will help mold me into the person and artist I hope to become. Upon graduation, I will attend law school.
With my degree in fine arts, I hope to become a working artist and establish art centers in neighborhoods in need of such facilities. Here, children and adults will explore and maximize their artistic skills and have exhibitions in the centers’ galleries, producing great confidence and a new love for these people, especially the children. My love for art and law will take me along many paths in my life, but if either one helps contribute to the world’s positive prospective outlook, then I will rest with gratification.
Exhibitions/Awards
Art work exhibited in the Brooklyn Museum (Spring 2004, 2005), in the Margulies Collection at the WAREHOUSE (January 2005) and the National Museum of Women in the Arts (June 2005).
- 2005 Presidential Scholar in the Arts
- 2005 NFAA/ARTS Visual Arts Finalist
Recognition through The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
- National Silver Award, Mixed Media, The Scholastic Art &Writing Awards of 2005
- American Visions Nominee, Painting, The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of 2005
- Gold Key Regional Winner, Painting, Drawing, The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of 2005
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