Student Spotlight: Sanjo Wolfe
Adesanjo (Sanjo) Wolfe is a CAS student in the Arts programs who will be graduating in May 2024 with his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). Sanjo has been involved with the UAA Jazz Ensemble as a trumpet player since he started at the University of 熊猫在线视频 Anchorage. Born and raised in 熊猫在线视频, Sanjo has always been involved with music and art while in school. In addition to being a BFA student in Art and a member of the UAA Jazz Ensemble, he is involved with Student Activities doing graphic design work for events and organizations, and has participated in events like Symphony of Sounds and Senior Recitals for other music majors. Outside of classes, Sanjo runs a freelance art and photography business and has produced work locally in town.
Sanjo sat down with us to talk about his time at UAA, his involvement in the Arts, and his plans for the future.
You told us that you are getting your BFA. Can you share a little more about the program? What are your plans for after graduation? =
鈥淚 am getting my Bachelor of Fine Arts, with a primary concentration in Illustration, and a secondary concentration in Graphic Design. This means that I am focused on things like poster design, web design, etc. Personally, I mostly focus on cartoons, things you might see in the animation industry. My BFA work will be a part of the BFA Thesis Exhibition in the Kimura Gallery from April 22 to May 3.
I am currently working with the Student Activities Office, within the Graphic and Publicity Services section. The office is set-up similar to a private company. The Graphic and Publicity Services area works to create posters, graphics, advertisements, etc. for the student clubs on campus. These posters are used to help with outreach, and you can see some of my projects around campus now!
After graduation, I plan to jump right into the job market. I am mainly looking at graphic design jobs, similar to the work I do with the Graphic and Publicity Services section of the Student Activities Office. My plan is to look at places like advertising firms, places that specialize in publicity and graphic design work. I plan on heading out of 熊猫在线视频 after graduation. I was born, raised and always lived in 熊猫在线视频, so I am excited to go beyond. That said, I am a nature-oriented person, and 熊猫在线视频 is beautiful. I can see myself returning one of these days.鈥�
Not only are you an art student, but you are also involved in the UAA Jazz Ensemble. Can you share a bit more about that experience?
鈥淪ince I was seven, I have been involved in something musical or creative. My parents wanted to expose me and my siblings to music and the visual arts, because no matter the career? Music, the Arts? They are an asset. I remember taking piano lessons at a very young age, and it just continued to be a part of my life from there. In middle and high school, I was a percussionist, but then I switched to the trumpet. When I came to UAA as a Fine Arts student, I found a way to be involved in the music program. Professor Armin Abdihodzic has been key for the jazz ensemble, and I really enjoyed getting to play in that ensemble. I believe that the arts, that music, are important for people. Music particularly touches the soul, and really helps people, even if they don鈥檛 always recognize it.鈥�
During your time at UAA, you have worked with different professors and students. Can you share a little about your experiences in the classroom?
鈥淎s I got further into my Art program, especially when we started coming back from the pandemic, having the opportunity to meet and work with so many people was great. We have all these in-person art classes, and it is a chance to interact with and learn from the people in the classroom. There were tons of opportunities to connect and to collaborate, as artists. I also had the opportunity to create connections, ones that I know are setting me up for my future.
In particular, I think working with my Illustrations Professor, Lucas Elliott, has been very influential for me. Professor Elliott has been a great help for me as I decide on my career and my next steps. One thing that I found very difficult when I entered the Art Program was figuring out what I wanted to do, what I wanted to specialize in that would help me all my life. Professor Elliott was great, because he walked me through so many options available for an artist specializing in Illustration. I could become a cartoonist, a medical illustrator, a book illustrator, and so many more. It was great to have someone to mentor me, and help me find a specialty that made sense for me.鈥�
On that same note, can you share why the Arts are important to you?
鈥淚 think the Arts, and even having an Arts degree is really important. My experience in the arts has shown me how much creativity and problem solving that is involved. Those are skills that can impact you, no matter if the career you choose is in the Arts directly. The ability to come up with creative solutions or refreshing, new ideas? That is useful everywhere, and it is something that comes from the Arts. I also know that having an Arts degree challenges you in ways that other areas do not. The creative work allows everyone to express themselves, and show their uniqueness. Ultimately, the Arts are multifaceted and different for everyone. They are not just one thing, which is the beauty of the Arts.鈥�
Thank you, Sanjo, for taking the time to talk to us, and good luck!