Bianca Diaz Master of Arts

To live in Ireland for one year I will need $18,000 (see below for a breakdown of my budget.) I will continue this campaign throughout the year with updates and photos of my research. With your help, I am committed to making this dream a reality.

I grew up in Pilsen, a Hispanic neighborhood in Chicago. My grandparents moved to this community from Mexico in the late 1950's. I've always been interested in telling the stories of my community. I still live in Pilsen and it is an integral part of who I am.

I received my elementary and high school education through the Chicago Public School system. Last year, I receieved a BFA in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). As an illustrator I am passionate about communicating with people. I believe that we are all connected. I aspire to continue to learn and share with others what I think is beautiful about Pilsen, Chicago, and the world - using pictures, words, and moving images.





Why Uversity?


Uversity was founded by 24 different leading universities, institutes of technology and independent colleges throughout Ireland. The colleges I will attend are the Burren College of Art, and Cork Institute of Technology. I would be part of the first graduating class of this flagship program.

As a recipient of the Creative Impact Scholarship, I will become a Uversity Student Ambassador and will communicate my experience to others through my work, blogging, testimonials, and video interviews.

Here are some of the classes that would help me pursue my vision: Intro to Art Research Methods, Writing and Experiment, and Situations - a class which will allow me to explore my practice in relation to a physical site, such as a prison.





Where Your Contribution Goes
 

For 1 Full Year -

Housing: $6500

Food: $4800

Transportation: $2250

Visa: $400

Supplies/Books: $4000


Total: $17,950





Why Help Me / The Work I Do

As a young person I grew up taking free classes at art organizations like Marwen, Casa Aztlan, Gallery 37, and Yollocalli.

After I graduated from RISD, I returned to Chicago to give back to the places that had given me so much. Marwen helped me grow confidence in myself and my ability to impact this world in a positive way. Today I am an assistant teaching artist at Marwen.

I am also currently working with Mariame Kaba, founder of Project NIA, on a book for children with incarcerated loved ones.
I created the following images after leading drawing and writing workshops with formerly incarcerated mothers.

Click here to see other work I've done with Project NIA.








The comic pictured below was used as a teaching aid for a comic making workshop that I co-taught this summer at my neighborhood high school. The object was to show students the importance of expressing the emotions and ideas they hold within them. Students completed their own one page comic about a dilemma they faced.


view full comic here



"The princess slept for many years. She had many dreams...."




"The brave princess was moved to action. She called for a team of volunteers, and that night they set out for Stony Island."

"The people would care for the kingdom until their Princess returned."





Other Ways You Can Help

I am very passionate about education and I've proven that I can do the work it takes to earn a degree. With your help, I can continue to do this work and bring even more knowledge and experience to the communities I serve.

I realize that funding higher education is a struggle for many. I appreciate any amount you may be able to contribute. One other way you can help is to forward my story to as many people in your circles as possible. I don't have a lot of time to raise funds (I learned about the program in late June and was accepted in late July), so I ask that you please share this campaign as quickly as possible.