New and Returning CWC Fellows Head to Otis College of Art and Design
This summer, four talented CWC Fellows are headed to Summer of Art at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, California.
Summer of Art is an immersive four-week pre-college program designed for high school students and young creatives. Students refine their creative skills through college-level coursework, hands-on studio projects, demonstrations, lectures, critiques, and mentorship from professional artists and designers. Fellows who complete the program can also earn three transferable college credits.
Whether they are experienced artists or continuing to discover their creative voices, Summer of Art provides an environment where students can challenge themselves, experiment with new ideas, and gain firsthand experience at one of the nation's top art and design colleges.
Meet Desta, Kennadi, Laila, and Sydney, four talented Fellows who are ready to take the next step in their creative journeys.
CWC Year 6 Fellow Desta
Desta is a recent high school graduate from Georgia whose passion for fashion is rooted in storytelling, culture, and identity. She sees fashion as a powerful way to express personal experiences while connecting people through shared histories and traditions.
Throughout high school, Desta explored a wide range of creative disciplines, including digital art, fashion design, illustration, and African art studies. Her work reflects an appreciation for how clothing can communicate both individuality and collective identity through color, materials, and design.
Inspired by her family, especially the women who came before her, Desta draws strength from stories of resilience, perseverance, and creativity. Their experiences have shaped her perspective as both an artist and a designer, encouraging her to create work that honors culture while embracing innovation.
This summer at Otis, Desta is excited to learn from professional artists and designers, strengthen her creative practice, and continue building the skills needed to pursue a future in the arts.
CWC Year 4 Fellow Kennadi
Kennadi is a senior from Maryland and a returning CWC Fellow. She previously attended both RISD and SCAD through our pre-college programs, where she strengthened her technical skills and gained valuable experience in college-level creative environments.
As a student at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Kennadi has built a strong foundation in fashion through coursework in technical production, fashion design, draping, garment construction, and costume design. She has also gained valuable industry experience through internships and creative assistant roles that have strengthened both her technical and professional skills.
Kennadi draws inspiration from Barbie, whose message of limitless possibilities encouraged her to see creativity without boundaries. That mindset continues to influence her work as she experiments across disciplines and explores new approaches to design.
Kennadi is excited to learn from professional artists and designers, strengthen her creative practice, and continue building the skills needed to pursue a future in the arts.
CWC Year 4 Fellow Laila
Laila is a senior from New York who views fashion as both a creative outlet and a powerful form of self-expression. A CWC Fellow since 2024, she previously attended both FIT and RISD through our pre-college program. Growing up in New York City, she has immersed herself in the world of fashion through both academic study and hands-on industry experiences.
Her studies have included fashion design, garment construction, draping, textile exploration, and apparel design. In contrast, additional experiences in the fashion business, jewelry design, and photography have broadened her understanding of the industry.
Laila has pursued numerous opportunities to expand her skills, including internships, leadership programs, and design competitions. These experiences have helped deepen her passion for fashion while reinforcing her commitment to building a future in the creative industries.
At Otis, Laila is excited to learn from professional artists and designers, strengthen her creative practice, and continue building the skills needed to pursue a future in the arts.
CWC Year 5 Fellow Sydney
Sydney is a senior from Maryland whose passion for fashion began with a fascination for creativity, color, and the power of personal style. A returning CWC Fellow, she attended the Academy of Art University last summer as part of our Year 5 cohort. She loves how fashion allows people to communicate who they are while transforming ideas into something tangible and meaningful.
Her creative background includes photography, visual arts, drawing, painting, ceramics, fiber arts, and fashion design. Through coursework, community involvement, and professional experiences, Sydney has continued to explore new mediums while strengthening her artistic foundation.
Sydney's work is driven by curiosity and a desire to keep learning. Whether experimenting with new techniques or collaborating on creative projects, she embraces every opportunity to grow as an artist and designer.
Sydney is excited to learn from professional artists and designers, strengthen her creative practice, and continue building the skills needed to pursue a future in the arts.
We have one more school to highlight this summer. Stay tuned to meet our Fellows attending RISD and learn more about the creative journeys they're preparing to take.
