Hi everyone, I’m Andrea Llerena.

If you know me, you know that clay is my life. It’s the material that has taken me around the world—from Detroit to the Czech Republic, and finally to my dream destination: London. I am currently in my final year of Ceramic Design at Central Saint Martins. I’m so close to the finish line I can almost see my graduation ceremony. My tutors describe me as one of the most ambitious students in the cohort, and I’ve even had a solo exhibition leading up to my final degree show.

But right now, that dream is at a breaking point.

The Situation

For years, my mom and I have been a team. She worked here in the UK to cover my international fees while I worked part-time to handle my own travel and daily essentials. We were making it work.

However, life took a hard turn in October 2025. My mom was made redundant, and because her visa was tied to her job, she had to move back to Mexico in December. Since then, she has applied for over 35 roles across the globe, but nothing has been finalized yet.

Why I’m Turning to You

I’ve tried every "official" route possible. I’ve applied for funding through the university, contacted the Mexican Embassy, and searched every private scholarship database from Blackbullion to the Arts Council. Because I am an international student in my final year of a BA, I’ve hit a "no" at every single door.

I am currently facing a final tuition installment of £9,112.

Between the high cost of commuting from outside London (about £380 a month) and my part-time hours being cut over the winter, I am stretched thin. It’s gotten to the point where I must choose between going to the studio to work on my degree show or saving the minimum £11 train fare just to eat.

What’s at Stake

This is the third art school I’ve attended due to pandemic disruptions. I promised myself years ago that I would finish what I started. I’ve invested eight years of my life and every resource my family has into this degree.

I don’t want to walk away when I’m just months away from the finish line.

Your support will go directly toward:

How You Can Help

Donate: No amount is too small. Even the cost of a bag of clay or a train ticket helps me keep going.

Share: If you can’t donate, please share this with your network. A post on LinkedIn, Instagram, or a text to a friend who loves the arts makes a huge difference.

Thanks to my uncle, I have wanted to live and study in the UK since the age of six. I feel so lucky to be part of the creative community here in London. I want to graduate alongside the peers who inspire me and finally start my career as a professional ceramicist.

Thank you for being part of my journey and helping me keep this dream alive.

With gratitude,

Andrea Llerena.