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Expert: - 5/26/2009


Question
I know someone that is a very intelligent 18 year old student who is a very gifted artist but has some emotional problems stemming from a very dysfunctional family. They would like to attend art school but need to have someone help them find the financial support to attend school and pay for living expenses and also be like a foster home & mentor. Although they are too old to be in a foster home they need something like it to be able to accomplish their goals. Do you know of any programs or resources that may have some ideas to help them?

Answer
Hello Frances,

You are a wonderful and supportive friend to be seeking out help for your friend. Because he/she isn't a minor, finding a "foster" like environment might prove to be tricky. First, is this person in school now? If so, I would start with a guidance counselor who can open up a wealth of resources.

If not, then start researching schools to find some art schools or colleges that may be options. Start the application process and actively contact the admission representatives and ask if they have a counselor referral or can help you locate resources. Because your friend wants to study art, your friend needs to prep some kind of portfolio that demonstrates talent.

As for financial aid, there is SO much out there that it can be very time-consuming just looking for financial help. For government college aid, the first place to go is www.fafsa.ed.gov. No matter what, the financial aid/grant/scholarship process can be long and frustrating and often requires a bit of paperwork. Each school offers their own scholarships, so talking to the financial aid office or bursar's office of the school will help you get started. Also, spend time researching scholarships online. Tons of websites exist to provide scholarship information. Your friend should apply to every scholarship they think they're even remotely qualified for.

Also, I understand that every family has a little bit of dysfunction, and that word can carry various degrees of severity. If your friend is in a dangerous situation, I encourage that person to find some kind of immediate help. Above everything, safety is key. If emotional problems are an issue, trying to locate counseling will be imperative for that person's future success. I'm not an expert in this field, but here are a couple of teen sites to at least get you started if that road is needed:

1-800-448-3000
Boys & Girls TownNational Hotline (24 hours)
http://www.boystown.org/

http://www.nineline.org/

Even try to look at local community organizations, churches, or an AllExperts.com volunteer that specializes in financial need, counseling, or family problems. Any of these should be a starting point to finding the resources that your friend needs.

I send my blessings and should you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to ask.
Sincerely,
Gianina  

Careers: Arts

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Gianina L.

Expertise

I can answer questions concerning most traditional mediums such as acrylics, watercolor, colored pencils, collage/cut paper, graphite, charcoal, and pen and ink. I also have strong, advanced knowledge of Photoshop, Powerpoint and Publisher; and beginner to immediate level knowledge in Illustrator, Freehand, After Effects, and Flash. In addition, I can cover miscellaneous subjects such as portfolio preparation, applying to art schools, art school study skills, color theory, basic design and drawing principles, basic animation techniques, working on personal art styles and exploring new artistic techniques. Topics such as the detailed legal aspects of art, web programming and Flash action scripting do not fall under my area of expertise.

Experience

Experience in the Area
I graduated summa cum laude with a double BFA in Illustration and Computer Art (specializing in 2-dimensional animation) from the Savannah College of Art and Design, where as a student, I happily tutored fellow peers in all aspects of art and created numerous illustrations for the school newspaper. For the past several years, I have been illustrating seminar books, designing numerous graphics, and creating short animation sequences for use in video. In addition, I work as a private tutor and am co-director / co-owner of a company that focuses on and promotes the local music industry. I assist with all the day-to-day operations of this company as well as manage all art direction and design.

Education/Credentials
Savannah College of Art and Design
BFA Computer Art, Illustration
Summa Cum Laude
Dean's List, GPA 4.0

Awards and Honors
Induction into Alpha Pi Beta honor society for art and design, 2002
Outstanding Achievement in Computer Art, 2002
Outstanding Student for the academic year 2001-2002
Awarded "Most Dependable" for District, the student newspaper, 2002
Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities, May 2001
Better Business Bureau Honesty in Advertising Essay Competition, Merit Award, November 1998
Mary Renee Whelan Scholarship, Savannah College of Art and Design

Exhibitions and Festivals:
Embodiement; Myths in Animal Form, www.postpicasso.com, December 10 - January 10, 2005
SCAD Alumni Show, Stardust Café, Orlando, FL; December 2004
Finalist, International Juried Online Symbolist Art Show, www.dracoblu.com, May 2004 - April 2005
Finalist, International Juried Online Symbolist Art Show, www.dracoblu.com, May 2003 - April 2004
Senior Showcase, SCAD Pei Ling Chan Gallery, Savannah, GA; May 2002
2D or not 2D, SCAD Trustees Theatre, Savannah, GA; April 2002
Small Works, SCAD Exhibit A Gallery, Savannah, GA; November 7 - December 31, 2001; art was purchased
Magnanimata Animation Festival, May 1999

Publications
Quoted briefly in Animation World Magazine, "Predicting the Future of Futurama" (April 1999) and "Ed, Edd, n Eddy: A Unique Approach" (June 1999)

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