Southwestern Magazine | Spring 2022

MATTIE MINTLINE ’22 Major: Studio Art Minor: Business Hometown: Conroe, Texas Why did you decide to attend Southwestern? My English teacher recommended Southwestern to me. In the pamphlet she gave me, it was such a picturesque campus, with small class sizes and an arsenal of majors to choose from. I knew I had to make the trip to see it in person with an enthusiastic mother in tow (she knew I was going to end up here before I did!). How did you become interested in your field of study? Ever since I could hold a crayon, I have been exploring and creating art in various forms. I knew I wanted to study painting, but initially, I was also pursuing a biology degree with the hope of going to medical school and becoming a neuroscientist. However, by the end of my first semester of college, I was miserable and changed my major to studio art with a minor in business with the delightful help of Dr. Debika Sihi. What’s your favorite spot on campus? My favorite spot on campus is not so much a place but a trail. It is a dirt path that runs down the hill, circles the soccer field, winds through the wildflowers, and eventually ends at the Story Tree. I always think best when I’m on my feet and moving, so walks down this path became ritual, providing solace and some much-needed sunlight, especially in the wake of the pandemic. What classes, student organizations, or other experiences have impacted you the most? As a freshman, it was an honor to be one of 16 college students selected from a national applicant pool to participate in the Kemper Scholars Program. This is a talent identification and leadership development program that helps high-potential college students acquire the practical and professional skills needed to successfully launch business careers. Who are your mentors on campus and why? There are so many marvelous individuals on campus who have shaped my academic and professional career. I wouldn’t be where I am without Dr. Debika Sihi, Dr. Star Varner, Professor Andy Ross, Alexandra Anderson, and Dr. David Gaines. Looking back at your time at Southwestern, what accomplishment are you most proud of? This past semester, I completed my senior capstone project in studio art. The four portraits in my series each highlight the four individuals in my immediate family: my mother, my sister, my brother, and myself. I asked each to photograph their clothes and, in an act of collaboration between myself and the subject, highlight the way in which the fabric is an extension of their identity. My exhibition will be opening at the end of March in the Sarofim Fine Arts Gallery. What is your favorite Southwestern memory (so far)? I found my lifelong best friends, all thanks to whoever stuck us in quad 360 of the Mabee Residence Hall. We bonded instantly, and their kind- ness, unwavering support, and overall magnificence have forever changed my life! What are your plans following graduation and beyond? As soon as I graduate I am moving to the Windy City, Chicago, to pursue my dream of becoming a creative director. Eventually, I will open up my own artist residency and gallery space, fostering a creatively rich community and making a name for myself in the downtown arts district. Q A Q A Q A Q A Q A Q A Q A Q A 33 SOUTHWESTERN