Dakota Aschittino 

Artist Bio:

Dakota Aschittino is a third-year student at Alverno College, majoring in Art Education and minoring in Spanish. Dakota's hope for the future is to be an elementary school art teacher, as her true passion is helping younger children discover a love for art. Dakota completed the IB Diploma Program in high school, excelling in Higher Level DP Visual Arts. Her senior exhibition focused on LGBTQ+ experiences, aiming to educate others on the struggles that come with being queer.  In her free time, she focuses on Digital Art, using a tablet and pen to master digital painting. Currently, Dakota is living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, though her heart is with her hometown in Minnesota. 

For 3 years, Dakota has been working at local YMCAs, teaching swim lessons to younger children and adults with special needs, and coaching a competitive swim team. In the summer, back home in Minnesota, she is a camp counselor at YMCA Day Camp Heritage, where she's taken on the role of arts and crafts lead, and most recently head lifeguard. 

Dakota's biggest drive is to create a welcoming classroom, where all can learn regardless of experience or skill. Dakota struggles with ADHD, and because of that, she understands how difficult it can be to be in a traditional classroom. She hopes to create a space where students can thrive, highlighting each student's individual strengths.