Cristina Rodriguez - walked into our Crookston studio at the age of 12. She was so young then and still is. We knew the moment we met her that she was an artist - an In Progress artist. She was one of our bravest too, who made her way through so many obstacles to study in New York. She now leads our Fresh Voices program in Crookston, and has a large following of young artists that look up to her for who they will be someday.
1. Considering all your experience with In Progress, what is one achievement that you personally are most proud of? Why is this achievement important to you? What does it represent?: Joining the program and realizing that this was exact ally what I was missing in my life. A camera makes me feel complete. It's another form of expressing myself. It represents who I am as a person.
2. What did it take for us at In Progress to achieve this accomplishment? What strengths do we have that helped us succeed?: The oportunity to learn new programs. The teachers who taught me. The opportunity of using the equipment and trust to go out with it and explore.
3. What do you think makes In Progress unique? What 2-3 things are at our very core that make us stand out from other arts programs or youth development programs?: The trust, how artists are allowed to be an individual and create their own work. It's more like a big family lots of love and respect.
4. As you think about In Progress, what do you value most? What keeps you engaged here?: The opportunity to create work and access to equipment. The people and artists . The friends I've made due to getting involved in the program. Most of all Kristine Sorensen .