Student Spotlight: Mashiyah F.
Stomping Grounds Visual Arts Program at JTDC
About Mashiyah
Mashiyah F. joined the Stomping Grounds visual arts program at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC) after arriving on August 7. Over approximately a month and a half of participation, she completed two major creative projects: an original block painting featuring a butterfly and her first original T-shirt design.
When Mashiyah first entered the program, she did not consider herself an artist and was not immediately drawn to the art activities. But through consistent encouragement and time to explore, she discovered that creating could give her something she did not expect: a way to slow down, focus, and express herself.
Challenges: Finding a Reason to Engage
Mashiyah was honest about her initial relationship with art. At first, she did not particularly enjoy the activities and did not see herself as someone who made art. But painting gradually became something she could turn to when she needed to calm herself.
“Once I start painting, it just calmed me down. I just do it because I got to calm down for real, for real.”
Another challenge Mashiyah encountered was her own high standard for her work. She wanted things to be precise and was unwilling to settle for work she felt was sloppy or unfinished. That attention to detail became an important part of her creative process.
She also explored digital design for the first time while creating her T-shirt. Working with tools she had never used before pushed her outside of her comfort zone, but she continued experimenting until she was satisfied with the result.
New Discoveries: Finding Art in Unexpected Places
One of Mashiyah’s biggest discoveries was realizing that she was capable of creating things she had previously assumed she could not do.
She reflected:
“Outside here I would think I can't do it because I would never take the time to do it. But in here it ain't much that we can do, so you take the time to learn what you wasn't.”
That willingness to try something unfamiliar became one of the most important parts of her experience with Stomping Grounds.
Her work also demonstrated that art does not always have to begin with an intention to become an artist. Sometimes it begins with having the time and space to discover what is possible.
Featured Work: The Butterfly
Mashiyah’s block painting features a butterfly, an image she has been connected to since childhood.
She chose blue and black for the piece and incorporated lighting effects to create additional depth. The finished work became one of the standout pieces from her time in the program.
The painting was selected for Stomping Grounds’ Locked Achievements exhibition, placed on display at the Beautiful Cat Gallery, and included in a published book—making Mashiyah a published artist.
The butterfly became more than simply an image in her artwork. It represented something personal that she had carried with her for years, giving the piece meaning beyond its visual design.
Creating Her First T-Shirt
Mashiyah also designed her first original T-shirt through the Stomping Grounds program.
The shirt features the words:
“She overcame everything that was meant to destroy us.”
For Mashiyah, the statement was deeply personal. She connected the words to the difficult experiences she had faced and to the changes she has been working to make in her life.
She identified both the T-shirt and her butterfly painting as the two pieces she was most proud of.
Creating the shirt also introduced her to digital design tools and gave her the opportunity to see her own words and creative vision transformed into something that could be shared beyond the classroom.
Milestones: Becoming a Published Artist
In a relatively short period of time, Mashiyah reached several meaningful milestones through the program:
Completed an original block painting.
Had her artwork selected for the Locked Achievements exhibition.
Had her artwork included in a published book.
Created her first original T-shirt design.
Explored digital design tools for the first time.
Developed a greater understanding of her own creative abilities.
Gained an opportunity to share her work with a wider audience.
For a young person who initially did not consider herself an artist, these accomplishments represent a significant shift in how Mashiyah sees what she is capable of creating.
Resilience and Looking Ahead
The phrase Mashiyah chose for her T-shirt captures much of what she wanted her work to communicate:
“She overcame everything that was meant to destroy us.”
She spoke openly about experiencing difficult circumstances and recognizing the need to make changes in her life. Her artwork became one way to process those experiences while also imagining something different for her future.
That future includes graduating from high school, attending cosmetology college for two years to earn her license, and eventually continuing on to a four-year college program. She is interested in becoming a CNA and has also expressed an interest in potentially working at a juvenile detention center.
Her goals extend beyond her own future. Her interest in working with young people in a detention setting reflects her desire to potentially use her experiences to help others.
Mashiyah’s Perspective
One of the most meaningful parts of Mashiyah’s experience is that she did not begin the program believing she was an artist. Through the process, she discovered that creativity could be a source of calm, a way to challenge herself, and a way to communicate experiences that are sometimes difficult to put into words.
Her story reminds us that creative development does not always begin with confidence. Sometimes it begins with simply being willing to try.
Mashiyah has given Stomping Grounds permission to share her artwork with others, allowing her creative work to continue reaching audiences beyond the classroom.
We are proud of the work she created, the patience she developed, and the vision she has for what comes next.
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