Profile of Anya Penherski

Written by Penelope Ingram

For the past three years, Anya Penherski, a senior Visual Arts major from Birmingham, Alabama, has been transforming ideas into works of art at IAA. She chose her major because of the satisfaction that comes from giving form to her imagination. “It’s calming,” she says of the creative process, describing the act of making as both meditative and expressive. 

Her decision to leave the South and attend IAA was rooted in a desire for growth. The school’s reputation in the arts offered her the training she sought, while the change of environment gave her a fresh perspective. “It was the right place for me to push my craft,” she explained. 

Her days reflect the rhythm of campus life: coffee and breakfast with friends, long stretches in class, and then the quiet focus of studio time. Evenings are often spent back in the company of friends, balancing the solitude of creating with the warmth of community. Among her favorite courses was Mr. McCall’s Century of Conflict, a history class she found both challenging and eye-opening. 

If she weren’t an artist, she admits she’d be tempted by Music Production and Engineering. “I love rap,” she confessed, “and I'd love to experience that major if I could.” That curiosity reflects her broader openness to new experiences, whether in art, academics, or life outside the South. 

As she prepares for graduation, she hopes her classmates will remember her not only for her artwork but also for her personal style. “Fashion is part of how I express myself,” she said. “I hope that’s something people think of when they think of me.” 

For Anya, art is more than a career path. It’s a way of leaving a visible mark on the world.