USM Student Wins Major International Art Award!

Second Year student Gina Brezini with her award-winning artwork and Drs. Ron and Mary Hulnick, who gratefully accepted the piece as a gift to USM.

When current USM student Gina Brezini received her long-awaited acceptance letter to the University of Santa Monica, she was certain of one thing . . .

"I wanted to give up art altogether," shares Gina. "Art had been my life for many years, but in the last few years I had become dissatisfied with it. Somewhere down the road I had stopped believing in it."

Creating the Life You Want-From the Inside Out

When asked what has contributed to bringing about this shift, Gina does not share about any new artistic techniques or styles that she has learned. She doesn't share about a remarkable photography class she has taken or mentor she has found.

"My art hasn't changed. It is exactly the same as it was before. But my attitude towards it has changed. What has changed is the way I relate to my art. The way I see it now has also affected the way I present my work, and others sense this. As a result, my artwork has started selling again. I have already had five exhibitions in prestigious galleries in New York City since I started the USM Program, and the number of collectors buying my work has expanded beyond belief. I am discovering the joy that my art brings to the lives of others and I am experiencing my creativity in a whole new way! I am viewing my work from an entirely different place inside." And her work is catching the attention of national and international audiences.

An Anonymous Nomination

Last December, Gina took part in the 5th International Biennale of Contemporary Art in Florence, Italy. Featuring 758 of the world's most prominent contemporary artists from 74 countries, the event is by invitation only. Artists are nominated and an international panel of judges evaluates the artist's work for possible inclusion in the event-and Gina still does not know who nominated her!

In many ways, being invited was the easy part. Gina continues, "I received the invitation-quite to my surprise-in March. I recognized that participating in this event would require a lot of money. There was insurance, customs fees, shipping the artwork, my flight and accommodations, creating large prints of my photographs, and much more to pay for.

The Power of Clear Intention

"Through participating at USM, I was learning ways to keep a positive focus, to look for the opportunity, and to come up with effective, creative solutions. I began to see this as a gift from Spirit! I set the intention to support my participating in any way I could. If it worked out, great! If not, at least I'd know I did everything I could to support myself and my art. And my friends in the class were very encouraging.

"Asking for help was new to me-I've always done everything on my own. I spent the entire summer fundraising! I called all my clients who had previously bought work from me, and I also talked to friends and asked them if they could assist me with sponsoring my participation in the Biennale. Asking for donations was extremely difficult for me, but I did it anyway. Amazingly, I raised all the funding I needed!

"I was raising money through November, and then completing paperwork right up to December. Whatever challenges came up, I kept taking the next step, and all those small steps carried me forward to my destination."

And the Winner is . . .

And yes, not only did Gina participate, she won first prize in her category, Graphic & Photography!

"I'm in a place of gratitude now," she says, "acknowledging myself and my willingness to keep moving forward. It was nothing more than a succession of small steps.

"USM has taught me how to open to my true potential! I could not have done this without the skills I learned here. I have done a great deal of inner work to get where I am today, resolving many of my issues and changing the limiting beliefs that blocked my success and made me think that this could not happen for me. I've healed so much. Participating in the USM Program has given me the opportunity to expand into who I really am. I'm so grateful!"

A Hearfelt Gift to USM

And Gina's gratitude has touched USM in a very direct way too-she has donated the beautiful award-winning work to the University! It now hangs in the lobby area at the USM Center, where visitors can enjoy it on their way to the attractive and peaceful patio garden. Thank you Gina!

When you are in next in the Santa Monica area, we invite you to come and enjoy Gina's inspiring creation.

Learn More About USM

If you are seeking a new career, or a new way of experiencing your current one, USM's M.A. Programs in Spiritual Psychology may be a way for you to discover your deeper purpose in life. We'd love to hear what you aspire to contribute to the world!

And if you'd like to learn more about USM's Graduate Programs in Spiritual Psychology, you can do so by choosing one of the following options:

• Calling our Admissions Team at (310) 829-7402
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• Visiting our main website at www.universityofsantamonica.edu
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