My Name: YiRan Liu

High School:  Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, OH

College/Major:  Northwestern University Class of 2007, Art Theory & Practice Major

Favorite Class/Activity:  My Favorite class is Relational Aesthetics. My favorite activity is storytelling

Most memorable college experience to date: Studying abroad in London, England

Favorite way to relax:  Playing board games and watching Ellen with my roommates

Favorite book: My Alimentum: The Literature of Food (A literary Journal)

My dream profession:  To be a working artist

Future plans:  Moving to Andersonville, working at a gallery with a publication, applying for grants to do cultural projects in the city... maybe eventually getting a Masters of Fine Arts.

Key insight to college freshmen:  Keep your mind open about what you want to do in life. Consider volunteering/studying abroad during college. Apply for research grants (especially if you university has a large endowment). Think twice before rushing into grad school straight out of college.

My hero:  My heroes are the very accomplished artsits and writers in my life who have encouraged me to pursue my projects, and whose careers are a testament to the fact that you can make a living while being major contributtors to culture and society.