Future Forward

Crystal Miller received a Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Gold Key in 2018 when she was in high school. She then went on to receive a microgrant in 2024, available to program alumni to fund their work. Read on to learn how these experiences transformed her career.

Crystal Miller: One of my teachers encouraged me to submit a digital illustration, and it received a Gold Key. It was the first award I’d ever received for anything. I remember being amazed by all the outstanding work by other students in the exhibition. And I was so proud to see my work there too.

CM: I went to a community college, and I got my associate’s degree in graphic design. Then I went to the Cleveland Institute of Art in Ohio. I loved the independence and my classes, and I really got to dive deep into my creativity.

CM: I double majored in painting and in sculpture and expanded media. Painting was challenging because I’d come from a graphic design background. I was originally going to continue with graphic design, but my heart was telling me it was time to try something different.

CM: After I graduated, I took an eight-month break from making art. Senior year of college was the hardest thing I’d ever done. During that break, a journal here in Cleveland wanted to publish my work. I realized it was time to start applying for grants, residencies, and open call exhibitions. Luckily, I was selected for some of them. Since then, I’ve made a reputation for myself, and I don’t have to apply for as much. Instead, people approach me about exhibiting my work. Now I have my own studio and I’m making art full-time. It feels like I’m a real artist!

CM: I sold my first painting for $500. It was a piece I made my sophomore year of college showing two women. I used yarn for their hair. At the time, $500 seemed pretty good, so I sold it. That was the first time I realized I could actually be an artist and people would buy my work.

CM: I hope to still be making art when I’m 80 years old. But in the next few years, I really want to get more national exposure and have shows in New York.

CM: I’ve had to learn to say no to opportunities if I won’t get enough out of them. I was getting exhausted by taking every opportunity that came along. I thought, “If I take this opportunity, it’ll help in my career.” But that’s not always true. Some of my artist friends explained that you don’t have to say yes to everything. You have to pick and choose what you want to do because you can only extend your body and mind so far.