Student Profile: Julian

Julian, 16, first joined LAMusArt in 2021 at the age of twelve. He says that post-pandemic, his “mom was looking for opportunities for me to get out of the house because we had been indoors for the entire pandemic,” and adds, “I was also interested in art, so it was a perfect fit.”

Julian began in Art I and has since taken Art II and Drama, expanding his creativity and confidence along the way. “I’ve really liked being in my art classes because I’ve been able to show my work to others and improve my skills,” he says. “It’s helped me grow a lot.”

He describes his teachers as key to that growth. “Ms. Tara taught me that it’s okay to express yourself when acting,” Julian says. “Mr. Ros taught me that we all like different styles of art, and Ms. Susette taught me to just have fun and it’s okay to have some off days when making art.”

One of Julian’s favorite memories at LAMusArt was his first art showcase. “It was the first time I got to show my art to other people,” he recalls. “It felt great to see my work on display.” Outside of class, Julian enjoys playing video games, spending time with friends, and sleeping!

Julian hopes to become a studio artist and says LAMusArt has helped him find his artistic direction. “A lot of the lessons from my art classes have helped me figure out what I want to do,” he says. “They’ve helped me see what my art style is.” He believes the arts play an essential role in self-expression. “They serve as an outlet for people to express themselves,” he says. “Even if it’s acting, singing, painting, or playing an instrument, a person can put their heart and soul into their work—and you can tell they did because of the effort they put into it.”

When asked what he’s most proud of, Julian is happy to report that he is, “...proud that I stepped out of my comfort zone and decided to take these classes.”.

He ended with his advice to anyone thinking about joining LAMusArt: “The place is really cool if you ever want to learn something new. Plus, I’ve made a lot of new friends too, so I’m sure you will too.”