Meet Yallannie Mora, A4L multi-hyphenate!
A graduate of the University of Central Florida pursuing a career in Creative Writing, Yallannie – A4L alumni-staff-champion – has been involved with A4L for more than 10 years. She was hired as an ArtWorks intern while in high school, has assisted at the Lewis Arts Studio, and is now the ArtWorks Site Manager, in charge of daily operations for interns whose shoes she once filled.
Yallannie is one of the many reasons why we do what we do.
What brought you to A4L?
When I was in high school, I had the desire to join something extracurricular to express my talents and skills as a performing and visual artist. I have been with the organization ever since, marking this year as my 11th year with A4L.
What is your day-to-day at A4L like?
Typically, everyday feels new and exciting. There is never a dull day, especially with the Artworks interns. I start the day by opening up the space and organizing if necessary. I am sure to visit each classroom throughout the day to take photos as well as oversee the progress of our interns’ portfolios. By the end of the day, our program assistants have done the extraordinary job of ensuring their spaces are cleaned and locked up, allowing me to walk around campus to make sure we keep it cleaned.
Tell us some fun facts about you.
I am a multidisciplinary artist. I have produced work within music, theater, poetry, fiction and nonfiction writing, as well as paintings and installations. Art is a definitive, fundamental feature of mine. I have just finished my degree from University of Central Florida, receiving a Bachelors of Art in English-Creative Writing.
Do you have an artistic or non-artistic accomplishment you’re most proud of?
I am proud of the long way I have come with Arts for Learning. I started as an intern, moved up to program assistant, and today I work as site manager. I am also proud of the growth I have exhibited in my craft as well as professionalism.
What has been a life lesson you’ve learned through the arts?
There is nothing impractical about pursuing art. It can hold a similar structure as other fields.
What inspires you about the work A4L does?
I admire A4L’s goals to grow within our community. As a former intern, I have witnessed how much the organization has grown, and truthfully only for the community. I admire how it is not only so focused on teaching art skills, but also teaching professionalism that is applicable to any workplace.
Do you have an impactful A4L story to share?
A4L has always been a blessing in my heart. It gave me a best friend who I have known for over ten years because of its ability to bring people from different communities in Miami together. He is now hopping between residencies as a visual artist, making milestones in his career. I can confidently say that neither of us would be where we are without our experience at A4L.
Are you involved in any cool projects outside of A4L that you want to share?
Nothing other than my work in progress. I am currently working on a Fulbright proposal to study unknown indigenous tribes in Panama, one of which my great grandmother belonged to. It will be collaborative with Anthropologist and my aunt, Jennifer Rubino. I have also decided to dedicate my full time and attention to working on my first full length novel, as well as my portfolio for the Kerouac Project.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our students, parents, partners and community supporters?
There is no better time to pursue your dreams than now. A4L is the catalyst to help you on your way to success.