QUARANTINE SUMMER SCHOOL FOR ANIMATION
For the last three years, I've had the privilege of helping shape and guide the learning of the 99 students that get to participate in this pre-college-like course, out of the (now) 200 or more that apply, annually. Founded by the lovely Abby Kurtz and 2 other strong artists, the Quarantine Summer School for Animation (QSSA) occurs as a one-month free and intensive online course that runs primarily through daily assignments and community learning. As an international student, when I was first offered the chance to help host the program as a moderator after having participated the year before, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. And now, as a co-administrator, I'm proud to say that the program and its reachability continues to grow each year. Initially starting as a means to provide accessible education to those quarantined in their homes, the program is now a place where artists all over the world with limited accessibility to animation resources can build a community of their own, learning from peers and other brilliant minds alike in the form of guest speakers we've hosted in the past, such as Thad Carlile, Pendleton Ward, Lindsay Small-Butera and more. I'm extremely proud of this ground team that continues to come up with innovative ways to keep animation education accessible through a safe and nurturing online space. If you're even the slightest bit intrigued, feel free to check out our website or instagram!