Featured Scholar:
Shayna Rosenthal
2001 - 2002 University Scholar
Mentor: Sergio Vega
College of Fine Arts
Shayna Rosenthal has known since high school she wanted to pursue a career in photography, but it wasn't until she became a USP scholar that she realized she wanted to be an artist.
"It was only after working with my mentor, Sergio Vega, that I became more interested in art rather than straight photography," she says. Vega took Shayna with him to an art exhibition in Arnhem, Holland during the summer of 2001 where she was able to study Dutch art and how it relates to Italian art. She researched the artist Carrivaggio's influence on Dutch art and how, in turn, Dutch art influenced Italian art. While in Europe, she visited art museums and galleries in Amsterdam and various cities in Italy. At the art show, "Sonsbeek 9," Shayna helped Vega and other participating artists install their exhibits.
"The most exciting part of being involved with this exhibition was that I was able to meet and talk to many 'hot' artists," she says. "The artists in the exhibit were definitely the cream of the crop, so to speak. The fact that I was able to ask them questions concerning their careers as well as mine was very exciting. They were able to give lots of practical advice concerning an up and coming career as an artist."
Upon returning home from Europe, Shayna worked as a photography intern for the Smithsonian Institution. She documented a folk life festival and photographed objects from different museums. In May, after receiving a BFA in photography from UF, Shayna packed her bags and moved to the art Mecca of the US-New York City. There, she works at an advertising agency while applying for art residency programs. "Teachers like Sergio Vega have had a big influence on me, convincing me that I can be an artist if I'm willing to work hard," she says. "It seems when I have a job in photography, I get burnt out on the subject and dislike it, whereas if I pay the bills through other random means, I can still have my love of photography to myself."
Shayna hopes to get her work into galleries in New York before moving to Europe to further her art career.
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