Ying Mo is an Art History major from Anniston. She was recently featured in the Gadsden Museum of Art 2021 Focus Photography Exhibition and received Staff Pick for her photograph Backstage for the Beauty Pageant.

When did you know that JSU was the right school for you?

When I was invited by my friends to attend an exhibition by the Art Department for the first time in 2016, I began to imagine that I could study here one day.

What are some benefits of your major?

We use serious, solid evidence to understand human development and the world we live in.

What is your favorite thing about JSU?

I am the most excited when the courses for the new term are announced because I can always see what I want to learn in the list.

What is one way that you have grown during your time at JSU?

I have grown by getting help from my classmates and learning their ways, as well as keeping in close contact with professors.

What can you tell us about your photograph that was featured in the Gadsden Museum of Art 2021 Focus Photography Exhibition?

This is my first time being selected for the exhibition as a photographer, and I’m really proud of myself. Of the three selected entries, one received the “Staff Pick” award. It was exciting and incredible to see my work exhibited in a professional art museum. Two of the three pictures are of my daughter’s activities.

For the first one, Trying Her New Dress, my daughter was at home wearing her new dress. I love this one because it has a shiny, sporty feeling, which captures my daughter’s happy growing-up memories.

It is my honor to win the prize with the second one, Backstage For The Beauty Pageant. I like the nervous, expectant, and exhausted mood of the characters conveyed in this picture.

For the last picture, Musician Charles and Joy, I captured their backs in the dark from the glass outside the recital hall while they were playing.

What is your favorite course that you have taken?

Painting, Lighting Photography, Photography, History of Modern Architecture, Art History of 19th Century Europe, Art History of the United States.

What do you plan to do after you graduate?

I hope to get a job in a museum.

What is a fun fact about yourself?

I always challenge myself and try new things, especially things that young people like. I am a slow learner, but I like learning very much.

What advice do you have for first-year students?

My community college English teacher said to me: write more essays, otherwise you won’t be able to do the job at JSU later.