OJC Press Release ID: 2483

Monday, March 14, 2016

OJC student gets career experience through Girls in the Middle

Otero Junior College student Carly McCormack has always been interested in the arts. As an art student of Mr. Max Cordova at Swink High School, McCormack received several awards for her art throughout her high school years, including best senior portfolio in the 2014 Otero Arts Festival. For this achievement, McCormack earned a scholarship to OJC where she is now studying arts and graphic design.

“I was really excited to be asked to design and paint the Girls in the Middle logo and mural this year. I always like doing projects for people; especially when there are clear instructions on what is needed,” said McCormack. “It was also fun to work with a committee.”

While McCormack says she gets many requests to design tattoos, this request took her to an entirely different level. “This directly related to my chosen field of graphic design,” explained McCormack. “There are not a lot of chances to design and paint something that big either, so I really enjoyed it. I hope to get to do it again.”

McCormack thanks Arts faculty member Steve Kalaher and fellow student Jenna West for their assistance in the painting process. Members of the Girls in the Middle committee were complimentary of McCormack’s work and stated that many of the girls who attended the conference took time to get their picture taken with the mural.

McCormack plans to graduate from OJC in another semester or two, and will then transfer on to a four-year institution for continued studies in graphic design.

Carly McCormack stands with the mural she designed and painted for this year’s Girls in the Middle conference themed Oceans of Opportunity.