Channeling Life Experiences
Financial aid offers Abenda Sohn 22 IL the opportunity to forge his creative path.
“I can see both sides—my Liberian and American—and how both of these sides play a huge part in my cultural life,” says Sohn. “My family reminds me that I can accomplish anything in this world and I should not let any obstacle stop me.”
“In my practice, I am very interested in the barriers that African Americans face in society and work to address my feelings of frustration and confusion about these issues in 2-D and 3-D."
Sohn was drawn to art early, feeling compelled to draw and be expressive. He kept a sketchbook and shared it with a high school teacher who suggested he apply to Project Open Door, RISD’s program advancing social equity and access for teens attending public and charter high schools in Rhode Island’s urban core. An important part of the program’s mission is to prepare these students to apply to college.
Since enrolling at RISD in the fall of 2018, Sohn has been disappointed by some of what he has found. “Coming from an inner-city high school where I had a diverse group of teachers and friends, I struggle at RISD because I don’t see a reflection of myself in my department. There are not enough people of color in Illustration, and it is difficult at times to connect with teachers and other students the way I would hope,” he says. “I wish more people were more open to having dialogues and getting to know one another. We will all learn new things and grow by being more open to each other.”
But, he’s also been buoyed by more supportive members of the RISD community. “I have met some of the most helpful and caring teachers, who have helped me develop as a human being and inspire the artist that I am becoming,” he says.
Receiving the Seth MacFarlane Endowed Scholarship, established by Seth MacFarlane 95 FAV, is another important support. “It has given me the strength to believe that anything is possible. I can go to bed knowing that someone cares about me and wants to see me prosper,” he says.
Although he found the transition to remote learning last semester to be challenging, Sohn adds, “In these times of uncertainty, this financial aid gives me hope and reassurance that everything will work out fine.”
