Emily McShane

2023 Visual Arts Scholarship Recipient

Emily is a Chinese American LGBTQ+ artist and sophomore at The Hockaday School in Plano, TX. She specializes in digital art and illustration. Through her unique character designs and storytelling, she aims to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities and evoke a sense of energy in her artwork. Drawing serves as an outlet for Emily's struggles with anxiety and depression, allowing her to create whimsical scenes, beautiful faces, and vibrant colors that inspire positivity. Her own experiences also enable her to convey relatable emotions in her work, inviting viewers to connect with the deeper meaning behind each piece.

Receiving the Anthony Quinn Foundation Scholarship has granted Emily the opportunity to attend the Ringling Precollege program this summer. She eagerly anticipates immersing herself in an environment filled with passionate artists from diverse backgrounds. The program's focus on visual development and access to resources like 4D art and motion will provide invaluable insights into college-level art studies. Emily is particularly excited to explore various disciplines, such as illustration, character design, and life drawing, and to acquire new technical and creative skills alongside like-minded young artists on the vibrant campus of Ringling College.

By participating in Ringling Precollege 2023, Emily will not only gain exposure to a rigorous and rewarding art curriculum, but also gain firsthand experience of what studying art in college entails. This opportunity will propel her artistic growth and allow her to further develop her passion for illustration and visual storytelling.