2025/26 Merit Scholarship Recipient: Emma Engler

How/why did you choose your major?

I've always considered myself a storyteller, no matter the medium I'm doing it in. Comics give me full control over the stories I tell from the dialogue to the scenery and I enjoy painting a world for readers to engage with.

Describe the work you submitted for merits.

My work primarily focuses around horror and historical fiction. Most of the pieces submitted are all parts of a larger story, especially my comic Interphase that I plan to make a full graphic novel for my senior project. I wanted to showcase my variety of characters and settings as well as my ability to render moody lighting to set a scene. As a comic artist, I aim not only to entertain readers, but to make something unique and interesting that will inspire them to create something of their own.

Why did you decide to come to MCAD?

The comics program was the main draw for me since not many art schools offer that as a major. I wanted to really focus on comics as a medium over general illustration, so decided on MCAD. I also wanted to attend a smaller college so I could really get to know all my professors on a personal level and not just feel like a face in the crowd.

What are your plans for your senior year? And beyond?

I plan to make Interphase into a full length graphic novel and attempt to get it published. I intend to continue making graphic novels when I can, but my larger plans are to become a curator. I want to attend grad school abroad for museum studies, hoping one day to work in a museum as a textile curator.

Favorite thing about college life (so far)?

Meeting new artists and learning and finding inspiration from the people all around me.

What inspires you?

I find the most inspiration from the books I read. Whatever I am reading at the time usually informs the kinds of things I draw. Right now I've been really been into older sci-fi/ horror like Roadside Picnic and Kurt Vonnegut's work as a whole.

Anything you're obsessed with at the moment?

I've been really really into 70s fashion, I love drawing it, researching it, and wearing it! I've also been big into industrial and 80s new wave music which also fit into my sci-fi work.

What's the best thing you've found on the Free Shelf?

I found a 1930s fashion magazine I've been using for collages!