Anna Hothai
Degree: BFA in Art and Technology
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2023
2021-2022 Scholarship
Eileen Cathryn Lemley Moore Award
J. Donald Hubbard Family Scholarship in Art
I Am Originally From Portland, OR
WHY I CAME TO THE UO AND HOW I CHOSE MY MAJOR
I chose the University of Oregon mostly because it is close to my home in Portland, and because I received the PathwayOregon Award which helps me pay for college. I have always wanted to pursue an animation/interactive art career so I was drawn to the Art and Technology program at UO. What I like most about being in the College of Design is the wide variety of studio courses and media areas. I know what I kind of art I want to study, but I’m still not sure if it’s something I will truly enjoy. Because of this, I really appreciate trying the variety of classes that the University offers.
I chose to pursue a BFA in Art and Technology because I really enjoy watching and creating animation. One particular animation that stuck with me the most is Travel Oregon’s “Only Slightly Exaggerated.” The animation depicts the beautiful scenes from destinations in Oregon, all of which were dreamlike and “slightly” exaggerated. I moved to Oregon from Thailand when I was in middle school, and the animation makes me feel proud to call Oregon my second home. I also enjoy learning and using digital art as a medium which is why I was drawn to the Art and Technology program. Although I have decided to pursue animation, I also want to explore other forms of art. Because the Art and Technology program offers a wide range of courses including interactive art, installation, and animation, I can explore various disciplines and combine them in my art practice.
UNIQUE QUALITIES I BRING TO MY STUDIES
I had my first art exhibition when I was 3 years old. The exhibition was called “A Hundred Little Dreams,” and it was a collection of 100 drawings of my family, my home, and princesses. Both of my parents are artists, and so I have been creating art since I could remember. My mother had always wanted me to come to the US to live with her and to pursue my passion. With that said, I moved to the United States from Thailand when I was 12 years old in order to get a better education. It was a difficult transition since I had to adjust to the new language, new culture, and make new friends in a place I’m unfamiliar with. The hardest part of all is dealing with homesickness and longing for my home country. My artworks often depict the theme of cultural identity and longing for Thailand. I like to use my experience as an immigrant to discuss the themes of isolation, loss of identity, memory, and childhood in my art.
MY INFLUENTIAL PROFESSORS
The most influential professor to me is professor Tyrras Warren, Senior Instructor in Art. I really like the way he emphasizes that success in art is a long process. We normally only see the most successful artists through their masterpieces, but we usually don’t hear about the amount of work and how long it took them to become this successful. Many famous artists including Vincent Van Gogh became famous only after he passed away. Most people in the creative world deal with Imposter Syndrome because we expect the instant success when, in fact, it usually takes years of practice. I have felt like my art isn’t good enough throughout the years. Even now, I still feel like I need to improve myself. Professor Warren reminds me that I am at UO to learn, and I’m not alone in feeling this way.
MY EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
I have been going to the Thai Student Association (TSA) meetings a few time to connect with other Thai students at UO. The community is important to me because this is where I get to meet other people from my own culture who speak my language and share similar experiences.
MY GREATEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE AT UO
I honestly think living in the dorm during my freshman year was the best learning experience for me. My roommate from freshman year is now my best friend, and she is my housemate today. We are both art students, and so we share a lot in common and inspire each other. It’s amazing how a small dorm room helps us get closer, and it really shows how important it is to make personal connections with other artists.
AFTER GRADUATION
My goal after graduation is to become an animator for a small studio. There are so many animation studios in Portland, so I am hoping to go back and find an opportunity there. I find the idea of a small studio appealing because I want to develop life-long personal connections with like-minded artists. In order to get my foot in the door, I am hoping to find an art-related internships during my senior year to gain some experiences. I’m also hoping to go visit my family in Thailand after I graduate. I have some personal connections with film makers there so I’m hoping to find an opportunity to work there for a few years.
YOUR GIFT
This scholarship is very important to me because it will help me with personal expenses and allows me to focus on creating art. My family owns a small Thai food cart in Portland. Although we get a lot of customers everyday, they are still unable to help me pay for expenses such as rent and school supplies. Before I came to UO, I worked two jobs and saved up money to pay for food and other expenses. The scholarship will make my art education become less stressful, and I will be able to develop a good portfolio for my future career.
I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Coming from Thailand, I didn’t know anybody in the US except my mom. It still amazes me that there is somebody out there who would go out of their way to help me get an education. My mother’s greatest wish was for me to come to the US to study art. She is a wonderful artist, but she didn’t have the chance to pursue her own dreams. Your scholarship will make both me and my mother’s dreams come true. Words cannot express how grateful I am for your kindness and generosity.