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Xuanyi Zhao

Undergraduate Institution: School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Undergraduate Study: Painting and Drawing Major

Area(s) of Interest: Music, Visual Arts, Fine Arts, Photography, Entrepreneurship, PR/Marketing

Experience: One of my most significant experiences was working with China Guardian Auction, where I participated in artwork cataloging, client reception, and supporting live auction events, gaining insight into audience demand. I also interned at the Guangdong Museum of Art, assisting with exhibition planning and design and collaborating with artists to present both contemporary and traditional Chinese artworks, which strengthened my exhibition design and visual presentation skills

Ideal role in 10 years: Full time artist (with big money and fanbase)

What led you to enroll in the MSLCE program at Northwestern University?

I’m eager to know how entrepreneurship works for the art industry especially as a painter

What aspect of the MSLCE program are you most excited to experience? (i.e. specific class, site visit, IDEA fund, internship, etc.)

Entrepreneurship classes, strategic experiments, and connections!

If you could have lunch with one person living or dead, who would it be and why?

Living person, because I’m scared of ghosts

If you had to describe yourself in three words they would be…

Intuitive, experimental, colorful

If you could donate one million dollars, which cause/organization would you choose to support?

Galleries/museums that genuinely help artists for sales and exposure

Which leader or influential figure inspires you the most and why?

Silver Francis – because she makes amazing art and business on her own via social media