Resume
Curious about the academic background and professional experiences of Ilhana Kisija? She's proud to showcase their awards/honors, leadership experiences, and other accomplishments. Please get in touch to find out more.
Published Artist, Celebrating Art
Artwork selected in a contest and published in the "Celebrating Art" magazine.
June 2016 & December 2020
Recipient, Art Achievement Certificate
Honor in Recognition of outstanding achievement in visual arts by the Niles North Art Department.
April 20, 2017
1st Place, Niles North New Works Art Show
Placed first in the Drawing & Painting category and in the AP Studio Art category.
December 2017-2020
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
2017-2021
Received 2 National Gold Medals in 2020 and 2021 for mixed media. Awarded around 4Â gold keys and several silver keys for artworks throughout high school and was invited to a celebration at Carnegie Hall in New York (unable to attend due to COVID).
Additionally, I was one of a handful who received the New York Life Scholarship that investigates grief through art.
Student, American Academy of Art
July 2018
Awarded two-week art classes from Art ConnectED/Illinois High School Art Exhibit to the American Academy of Art in downtown Chicago. Through the courses, I learned how to use photoshop and develop effective stories through illustration.
1st Place, Mental Health of America at NorthShore
First place recipient of the Mental Health of America of the NorthShore 2019 Essay and Multimedia Contest, High School Art division.
November 2019
Student, AP Studio Art
September 2019Â - May 2021
Took the AP Studio Art course twice throughout high school. Here, students create artworks every two weeks pertaining to a topic that they choose at the beginning of the school year. I learned skills like time management, technical skills, experimenting with new materials, developing a community, and incorporating critique notes into revision.
Award Recipient, IHSAE
2019-2021
Best in Show - Mixed Media and Alternative Arts, offered an internship at StudioUs, awarded a scholarship for an early college art program at Northern Illinois University, first place in the general exhibition, offered a scholarship for one month of fine art classes by StudioUs, a competitor in the Throwdown competition.
Designer, Distinction Awards Booklet
Designed cover for art for the Niles North Distinction Awards booklet/brochure.
2019
Award Recipient, Belin-Blank Art Awards
Received a gold medal in illustration and was invited to an awards ceremony located at the University of Iowa.
February 2020
SoAD Alumni Scholarship for Summer Arts Camp
Early College Prep Scholarship held at the School of Art & Design at Northern Illinois University for the summer arts camp during summer 2020. I planned to attend, however, this was not possible because of COVID.
March 2020
Published Artist, Chicago Tribune
Art piece titled Disconnection was published in this magazine, along with an interview and description of my background as well as my goals.
March 2020
Published Artist, Adroit Journal
Artwork was published on the front cover of the Adroit Journal and included an autobiography within the magazine.
May 2020
Experience
Training and background in creative and other fields
2018-2019
Member, PALS
IÂ helped special needs students at Niles North strengthen their interpersonal communication skills, schoolwork, team-building, and overall built a friendship with the class members.
2019 - Current
Art Commissioner
Self-employed commissioned artwork through personal requests of paintings, illustrations, designs, etc.
2020-2021
President, National Art Honors Society
President of the National Art Honors Society in high school who managed activities of the club. We accomplished a collective coloring book that raised more than one hundred dollars to which we donated to a local cause, and partnered with the student government to design masks for sale.
June 2021
Photographer, BECCA Center Chicago
Volunteered as a photographer for the Bosnian Educational and Cultural center for an awarding ceremony.
February 2021 - Current
Team Member, Chick-Fil-A
Working as a team member at Chick-Fil-A to ensure the enjoyment, order accuracy, and overall experience of the guests.
Other
Experience and accomplishments from areas of interest other than visual art
October 2018
Recipient, Principal's Recognition Award
Recognition of excellence in world languages (German Language) and invited to an awards breakfast with Principal and other teachers.
September 2019
Recipient, Certificate of Outstanding Achievement in AP Psychology
Awarded a certificate by the Niles North psychology department for outstanding achievement in the AP psychology course.
September 2020 - February 2021
Volunteer at Happy Kids Daycare
Provided assistance to the daycare workers as well as helping to strengthen the childrens' academic and social skills.
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Languages
Other than English, I am fluent in Bosnian (as well as Serbian and Croatian), and familiar with German.