Graduating from the University of Arizona College of Letters, Arts and Science with a degree in arts, media and entertainment, Erica Silverman is exploring her next step.

Silverman, who is from Phoenix, came to the UA to be close to home and her sister, who also attended the UA. As a child, the painting “The Starry Night” by Van Gogh was an important symbol to Silverman. She had an urge to study Van Gogh, his art and his creative process, which drove her to pursue a degree in the arts.

“It’s probably a cliché choice, but I would sit for hours and stare at this piece and be completely and utterly fascinated by every inch,” Silverman said.

She said she wanted to study art because she always had a passion for looking at pieces and is “such an art nerd.”

          RELATED: Looking back on Arts & Life

Silverman liked her major because it allowed her to pick from a broad range of classes, as well as give her the opportunity to express herself in different ways.

“I had an abundance of classes to choose from, so I was able to choose from art history to studio art courses to psychology,” Silverman said. “I also like to paint for fun and as a way to express myself.”

Some of Silverman’s favorite courses included painting and graphic design, as she likes to express herself through brush strokes and multiple mediums.

Drawing is another way Silverman expresses herself creatively. Although she enjoys being artistic, she also likes learning and using technology. 

“I liked how we got to figure out new ideas and programs and play around with the software in the graphic design class,” Silverman said.

Silverman was also involved in Greek Life on campus and was on the executive board for her sorority, where she was the new member educator, in charge of getting the new members ready for initiation. 

During her time in her sorority, she has made friends, including another graduating senior, Talia Capozzoli.

“I love her [Silverman’s]  artwork because she really puts everything into it time, energy, interest and it always turns out amazing,” Capozzoli said.

Silverman’s sorority, Alpha Epsilon Phi, is special to her as a senior. 

“You don’t realize how much you grow in a house,” Silverman said. 

She gained many sorority sisters, but her biological sister was part of her sorority, too, which was very meaningful to her.

          RELATED: Wildcats take over the catwalk

Not only was Silverman involved in Greek Life, she participated in the foreign exchange program. In fall 2017, she went to Florence, Italy to study art.

“Coming from taking art history classes, you’re learning about the history and the culture and the art from European countries, and we got to see the artwork we learned about in class in person,” Silverman said.

Silverman doesn’t know her next step quite yet but is excited to graduate; she looks to continue pursuing her artistic talents as she enters the workforce and looks back at the memories made at the UA.

Follow Daily Wildcat on Twitter