The TCU College of Fine Arts is preparing to graduate an outstanding spring 2023 class. Graduates including Natalie Neale from the School of Art, Kira Daniel from the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance and Olivia Satkiewicz from the Department of Fashion Merchandising, share their postgraduate plans to “Lead On, Creatively.”
Natalie Neale
Art
Natalie Neale
Why did you choose to attend TCU?
I applied to several art programs including TCU School of Art as a senior in high school. TCU was secretly my dream school because I wanted to be surrounded by peers from all different majors, not just art.
I knew it was the right choice when Nick Bontrager, our professor of new media, provided a tour around the art building. After meeting more professors and walking through the halls, I knew I could not see myself belonging anywhere else.
Tell us about your internships and involvement during your time at TCU.
I always wanted to be actively involved on campus and said yes to every opportunity. I worked as a gallery attendant at Moudy Gallery and Fort Worth Contemporary Arts Gallery all four years here. During my third year, I became vice president of ArtOrg and am currently serving as president.
I want to continue the legacy of my predecessor and take ArtOrg to the next level. I can proudly say that we have accomplished a lot in spreading art around campus. We’ve completed countless collaborative art projects, with one being the new mural at the founder’s statue for TCU’s 150th-year celebration.
What’s next for you?
I’ve had several opportunities to teach art to children. I know my purpose is to enter the art therapy field and work with children with disabilities. I hope to become a mentor to them since I can relate to having a disability.
What advice would you give to other students pursuing a career in the fine arts?
If you have a creative expression from the heart, take your idea and run with it. When life seems overwhelming, sit outside in the sun for 15 minutes. And if you ever feel lost along the way, remember that maybe you don’t necessarily need to be found but rather just understood.
Kira Daniel
Dance
Kira Daniel
Why did you choose to attend TCU?
I knew it was the best place to spend the next four years of my life. When I toured the campus, it felt like home. My experiences have been unlike any other and molded me into who I am today. The friendships, connections and mentors have forever impacted me, and I will carry them wherever God places me next.
Tell us about your internships and involvement during your time at TCU.
In my first year, I was one of four students selected to represent the SCCDance in Kigali, Rwanda, for the SEVOTA exchange. In my sophomore year, I served as the class representative in the Chi Tau Epsilon Honors Society Anti-Racism Coalition. I worked alongside The Office of International Services and was an international orientation leader. This year, I was awarded the Clark Society Endowed Scholarship for my leadership on campus and within the SCCDance.
My senior choreography project was one of two chosen to represent SCCDance at the American College Dance Association Conference in Huntsville, Texas. Mine was the only undergraduate work to receive regional recognition allowing me the opportunity to perform in the Gala Concert. My piece was also the only undergraduate alternate work chosen for the national conference in California.
What’s next for you?
I’m moving to New York City to earn my Master’s in Arts Administration at the Teachers College at Columbia University. I will continue my dance training in the city and am excited about this next step. I can’t wait to see the doors God will continue to open for me in the future.
What advice would you give to other students pursuing a career in the fine arts?
You can always pursue your art form along with other interests and talents. I spent so much of my life thinking that dance was the end all be all, but this is far from true.
The career possibilities are endless, and you don’t have to let “what’s typical” prescribe your path. This is why I am continuing my education in both dance and social activism instead of joining a dance company. I would ask all those pursuing the arts to ask themselves, “What do I want to do?” and follow it up with, “Alright, let’s make it happen.”
Olivia Satkiewicz
Fashion Merchandising
Olivia Satkiewicz
Why did you choose to attend TCU?
I grew up in a small mountain town in Colorado, and TCU was the complete opposite. I wanted a change and challenge myself to step outside of my comfort zone. I admired the big school spirit with a small campus feel. The beautiful campus was also a contributor to my final decision!
Who most impacted your TCU experience and why?
I want to give a special thanks to Nicole Bettinger, who has taught me all four years and has become a mentor. I have also met some of the most important people in my life through the fine arts program and studying abroad in Florence, Italy. I will forever cherish the friendships I have made at TCU and how they have changed my life for the better.
What’s next for you?
Following graduation, I plan to move to New York and begin my career in the fashion industry. I am excited to start this new chapter of my life in a city full of diversity and creativity!
What advice would you give to other students pursuing a career in the fine arts?
Trust yourself and trust that you know yourself. You will grow so much in these next four years and learn more about life and how you handle it. Embrace new experiences and dive into the unknown with confidence and dedication. That is the best way to evolve your sense of self.
Congratulations to all our Fine Arts graduates! Thank you for putting your passion into practice and continue to Lead On!