Meet Lola Díaz-Suarez, Lewis Arts Studio (LAS) Alumnus turned program counselor! Lola attended LAS for the three years she was in middle school, and volunteered while in high school. Lola credits the Lewis Arts Studio for preparing her for her audition and time at her now alma mater, Design and Architecture Senior High (DASH). She is currently in her first semester pursuing a Bachelors of Architecture at Cornell University.
We are so proud of you, Lola!
Fun Fact: Lola’s younger sister Lucía graduated from LAS this spring and is now also attending DASH!
What brought you to A4L and how long have you been with the organization?
I heard about A4L in 6th grade through my friend’s sister that attended and that’s when my story with A4L started. I learned that it [the Lewis Arts Studio] was a program to enhance your art skills and provided materials to help do that. Little did I know I would be with the organization a little over four years, counting the time I was a student at LAS in middle school plus the time I’ve been volunteering as a high schooler.
What is your day-to-day at A4L like?
As a counselor in the 2025 summer camp at LAS, I was constantly getting flashbacks about my time in the program. I’m super happy that I got to be the one to give back to the organization that really enhanced my skills. I got to speak to other young students about their art journey and help them if they were struggling in art or even provide feedback on thinking about their next steps on taking their art into the professional world.
Tell us some fun facts about you.
I just recently graduated from Design and Architecture Senior High in the Architecture Strand and I have a younger sister that will now be attending DASH because of LAS’s help. Including my time at LAS and DASH, I have gone through five sketchbooks for my architecture work and artwork, and I plan to go through a lot more in my future.
Do you have an artistic or non-artistic accomplishment you’re most proud of?
In the fall of 2025, I will be attending Cornell University for five years studying Architecture. This is an accomplishment I worked towards at my time in high school which I am very proud of for pursuing, although it was a treacherous journey. During my time in high school, I won multiple Scholastics Painting Gold and Silver Keys and in my senior year, I won the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Miami Architecture Student of the Year. I graduated as Salutatorian of Class of 2025 from DASH.
What has been a life lesson you’ve learned through the arts?
Art can be very unpredictable, but it always works out in your favor, and that life really does imitate art.
What inspires you about the work A4L does?
Genuinely everything. The ability to help students that might not have the privilege to do so is already inspiring enough. My portfolio focuses on being able to provide for people a space where they can feel comfortable with whatever background they have and A4L accomplishes that.
Do you have an impactful A4L story to share?
I joined A4L in the depths of COVID in 2020. I was stuck at home and there was so much disorder in the world that was really worrying me even at a young age. Joining in through Zoom to create art was an adjustment, but day after day, I worked in different mediums and surprisingly it really did make me feel comfortable amidst the situation.
Are you involved in any cool projects outside of A4L that you want to share?
My current project has been focusing on my education and my next steps for pursuing a career in Architecture. Projects that have led to that have been working with the ICA Museum as a Young Artist to have my work showcased, and being a Team Ambassador at the Adrienne Arsht Center.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our students, parents, partners and community supporters?
This is THE program to join if you have even the slightest interest in art. It doesn’t just set you up for making an amazing portfolio, but the ability to express yourself, find friends with similar interests, have the chance to get into art focused schools, and even learn the skills that will help you in high school. This program needs to thrive because of how many students have the opportunity to pursue their interests in the arts. It’s immensely helped me and I know A4L is always ready to help even more.
