Meet our 2018 Peer Mentors
Living Arts is pleased to offer two peer mentor positions to Out-of-School Arts students for a third consecutive year. Peer mentors assist in The SPOT Teen Open Studio class, working closely with the class teacher and leading their peers. This program is made possible with support from the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs New Leaders Grant.
Tanykia "Diamond" Davis
Tanykia “Diamond” Davis is a 16 year old artist and entrepreneur. She has been dancing competitively for three years with Living Arts and has been helping her community since 2012. She attends University Preparatory Academy and will graduate in 2019. Diamond is very proud that she could help connect with peers and create something they are excited about as participant in The SPOT and one of Living Arts’ first Peer Mentors in summer 2016. Diamond says she feels accomplished knowing that she’s moved on to other parts of her life while having helped people along the way.
"Through our summer project, I am hoping to get more experience and opportunities to learn about event planning, budgeting, and collaborating with artists to curate exhibitions. I am also hoping to find ways to allow our students to have a good time in an event that is geared towards them, and gain good experience out of the opportunity. This will also give me good experience as I work towards studying business in my college career."
Karla Rodriguez
Karla Rodriguez is a 14 year old student in Cass Tech High School’s class of 2021. and has participated Living Arts’ Out-of School Arts programs since 2015 and was present at the very first meeting of The SPOT that year. Karla says she “fell in love with the program right from there” and she has continued to a constant, regular participant and contributors. Karla continued, “Now I often find myself helping new artists in the program find their way around the studio. But by far the best part of The SPOT has be the instructors—they are the ones that help provide the care-free and open atmosphere!”
"I am hoping to gain better planning skills as a result of planning the event for Living Arts. I also hope to strengthen my leadership skills within a group. I think that as a result of this exhibition, it will help attract more children and teens to The SPOT and other Living Arts programs."
