Anica Arias

I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Arlington studying in Interior Architecture. I am studying to become an industrial designer, with the hopes of one day recreating what we use in daily life (forks, stairs, furniture, etc.) and revamping them into more than meets the eye. I grew up in Chicago, Illinois with my mother working at Motorola Cellulars as she took care of me and went through nursing school. My father, while present in my life, was not apart of our lives in the sense that he and my mother were together. All I've ever known is the love and support each and every one of my family members has ever given me. We weren't rich by any means and most of the time we struggled to make ends meet but it was never something that really hit me because my family did the best they could to everything I need and the best we could afford. From a very early age I showed promise in art, remember colors before I could spell my name. My grandmothers encouraged me and my mother and father pushed me to open my creativity and imagination. When I moved to Texas at age 9, I was further pushed because I came to know wonderful teachers and classmates who also felt the drive to be better. Over the ears I've hopped from many fields under the art banner but I always knew I didn't want to be just an artist, I wanted people to know me even if they'd never know my face or name. I wanted to leave history behind as someone who is remembered for what they did not who they are.