College of Arts and Sciences News

Clarissa Ko ‘16 started dancing at a young age. Through the support of teachers that encouraged her to create, choreograph, and direct her own pieces, she realized the richness and power of the arts. Having discovered her passion, she began wondering: could she make a career out of it? This led Clarissa to USF and the Performing Arts and Social Justice (PASJ) program. Since graduating, the answer has come in the form of an abundance of opportunities in the field, from teaching dance and managing dance companies to forming her own.

Madeline Warner ‘15 was an avid artist from early childhood, obsessed with painting and drawing. She pursued her passion all the way through high school, and it was not until college that she discovered art history and found her interests evolving towards the more academic side of the arts. She was excited by the prospect of earning a degree in Art History/Arts Management, (now Art History & Museum Studies) where she could merge a love of the arts with her scholarly interests in research-based analysis – all within the cultural hub of San Francisco.

The art world can be a tricky field to get into, often seeming opaque from the outside. Often people find themselves working in many areas at once: making art, curating, working in galleries and museums. Aubree Mladenovic ‘15 faces these challenges with a belief in art’s ability to effect social change and a sterling work ethic.

Founded by the late American abstract expressionist Robert Motherwell, the Dedalus Foundation in New York strives to cultivate and support public knowledge and understanding of modern art. The Foundation partners with neighboring non-profits and arts organizations, engaging learners of all ages in their direct service educational programs. Dedalus also supports publication, conservation, curatorial, and archival initiatives.

In 2007, quickly developing relations between Belarus and China inspired Karina Salomatina ‘18 to enroll in the Chinese Language and Literature Program at Belarusian State University. After two years, she transferred to Beijing Foreign Studies University and moved to China, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Chinese Language with an Economics and Trade Specialty.