The University of New Mexico College of Fine Arts recently awarded Mikaila Dart, a talented alumna, with the Reggie Behl Drawing Award, providing her with a $1,000 grant to support her exceptional drawing skills. Dart, who submitted her artwork into the competition with hopes of validation and recognition, expressed her excitement upon receiving the award, stating, “I was very excited hearing a ‘yes’ and hearing it from the faculty at UNM that I look up to and that I've been learning from. It was like a boost of confidence that told me this is a valid thing that I'm doing, that I can continue building on.”
Dart's passion for art dates back to her childhood, where she and her friend would spend their days drawing comics and creating fairy stories. Over the years, Dart's focus shifted towards portrait work, particularly using large-scale paper with oil sticks. Her artistry has evolved to explore themes of childhood and nostalgia, aiming to evoke warm and loving feelings in her audience. Dart's work often features a feline motif, symbolizing her desire to revisit memories of her childhood homes and her grandmother's residence.
One of Dart's notable pieces, "I Love My Grandma," includes a cat peeking over a tabletop of trinkets, alongside a red chair borrowed from her grandmother. Reflecting on this piece, Dart fondly recalled, “I was just so excited about that. I think that piece is one that speaks to a lot of my memories, the main ones that I remember.”
With the Behl Award providing her both financial support and a confidence boost, Dart is poised to continue excelling in her artistic career post-graduation. Her vibrant and heartfelt artwork can be further explored on her website and Instagram, offering a glimpse into the creative world of this promising artist.
