Tell us a bit about yourself, your art, and your background

I’m currently a junior studying Film and Television with a Fine Arts minor. I have a lot of different interests, and I love finding ways to combine them into something new for myself. While I enjoy being on set and working with people, my more personal projects gravitate towards experimental films, sculptures, and prints. My work often explores memory, older technology, and ephemeral media, I love the idea of preserving things that might otherwise be lost or forgotten.

What brought you to Columbia?

I’m from Wisconsin and lived there my whole life. We visited Chicago often, and pretty early on I knew I wanted to live here after high school. I love the city, and Columbia stood out to me because it offered opportunities I was also interested in beyond just film and television. The hands-on learning, the creative community, and the emphasis on preparing students for success after college all stood out to me. And when I toured the school, learned more and saw the facilities, it felt like a place where I could explore my interests and build the kind of career I wanted.

What initially inspired you to apply for the Library Artist in Residence Position?

I’ve spent a lot of time in the library, it’s a place where I find inspiration and a space where I can focus and work. I often found myself on the 4th floor, where most of the residencies are, and I first saw the application on a sign near them. At first, I didn’t think an artist in residence position could include a film and television major, so I didn’t initially apply. But after learning more about the possibilities and opportunities, I started thinking about what I could create and contribute with a dedicated space like that, surrounded by all the resources the library has to offer.

How does your arts practice benefit from library collections, services, and/or equipment?

I rely on the library as a space to slow down and be more intentional with my art practice. Books and other physical media provide a diversity of perspectives that support all my artistic interests, giving me a wide range of inspiration to pull from. The DVD collection grants access to films I might not find on streaming services, helping me study different styles and techniques. I also love the magazines on the 2nd floor, they’re an easy and accessible source of ephemera to reference. On top of that, being able to check out equipment and technology from the library gives me access to valuable resources I might not otherwise have, making it easier to bring my ideas to life.

What do you hope to gain from your Residency in the Library this coming year?

I’ve never had a dedicated space to practice my art, and I think having one within the library will allow me to develop my work in ways I haven’t been able to before. I want to use this opportunity to push my ideas further, experiment with new mediums, and focus on the themes that matter to me. At the same time, I want to lean into my love of sharing knowledge, whether that’s through conversations, screenings, or projects that invite others to engage with history, media, and storytelling in new ways.

What do you hope to give back to the Columbia College Chicago community in your role as an Artist-in-Residence?

I hope to create work that engages people and encourages them to interact with the library space more. Whether that’s through open studio hours, workshops, screenings, or installations that spill out beyond the studio, I want to make something that sparks inspiration. I also want to be a resource for others, sharing knowledge and ideas in a way that feels approachable and exciting.

What are your current and future personal projects? What should we look forward to from you next?

Right now, I’m working on a project that doesn’t really have a title yet. Initially it started as a documentary idea that explores my fear of forgetting and my relationship with objects as memory triggers. It’s a visual diary of sorts, documenting and engaging with my belongings before they degrade, break, or get lost. Currently, I’ve been exploring this theme with sculpture and will be doing so with other mediums in the future as well.

Separately, I also want to experiment more with mixing digital work with physical space, finding ways to bring those two worlds together in a meaningful way.