Ignacio Beroiz decided to attend Broward College because he heard the school has a great art program, and now the award-winning art major just graduated with an associate degree in art.

Beroiz,19, first moved to the United States from Argentina with his family when he was 15 years old, which wasn’t easy on him.

“I felt lost when my family first came to America, but I allowed myself to integrate into my environment by seeking community and found out I really like to make art, especially painting.”

While attending Broward College, he got involved with student organizations and held leadership positions in the Art Club, serving as secretary and Panku, the literary and arts magazine, as the art editor.

He also won various art awards including first place for individual artwork in the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) for community college students and second place in the BC Annual Student Art Exhibition. He received the Painting Award during the BC Annual Student Art Exhibition, the Purchase Award for the BC Permanent Collection, and a print of his art in the BC Printmaking Department Collection.

Having his art juried in the Annual Student Art Exhibition and winning the two awards were some of his most meaningful experiences at Broward College.

“Broward College has become my second home,” said Beroiz. “I found amazing professors that guided me in my artistic and personal development, classmates that I consider some of my best friends today, and I know that I have found that I want to pursue art in my life.”

Beroiz will attend New World School of the Arts in Miami and, after he graduates from there, he plans to get his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in art and hopes to teach art at the college level.