Lily Wai Brennan

This is a photo of me with my piece “Forms and Frauds of Partnerships,” which I made during my time at UO.

Degree: MFA in Fine Arts

Expected Graduation Date: 2023

Previous Degree: BFA in Studio Art, The College of Saint Rose, Albany, NY

I’m From: Buffalo, NY

Why I Came to the UO and How I Chose My Major
I was attracted to the University of Oregon because I was able to have a fully funded MFA experience at a research-based university. I know people currently in the program and have met alumni who strongly recommended the program to me.

Having received a BFA in Studio Art, I knew I wanted to pursue an MFA to have more opportunities for career paths, particularly in teaching.

Unique Qualities I Bring to My Studies
My mother is a retired textile artist and taught me all the skills that she had acquired in her lifetime. Since I never had a professional education in these practices, my work has been translated into a process that is both craft-like and fine arts.

My Greatest Learning Experience at UO
This is my first term in the program, so I am still in the early phase, but I’ve been learning how to maintain a community within the graduate art program, especially during Covid.

After Graduation
I hope to go onto exploring more career paths particularly involving teaching, such as being a visiting professor or doing adjunct teaching in colleges.

Your Gift
Since Covid has cut the opportunity for graduate first-year graduate students to teach, this scholarship is helping cover the costs that would have been initially covered by opportunities to teach in the program. This was extremely helpful for me, especially during the pandemic, my financial situation has been much more strenuous now that I am in school again.

Thank you for your generosity and for caring so much about UO’s arts program. It is refreshing to see individuals who support arts communities, especially in times such as these.