Meet junior Julianna Gil, artist and athlete. She is a swimmer for the Niles West JV team, and she’s been swimming for Niles West since freshman year. Gil enjoys art, and will be joining the Niles West Art Club. Moreover, Gil also takes art classes outside of school at a studio called Art in the Square in Lincoln Square.

“I’ve had a passion for painting since I was six years old. My family at first thought it was stage because no one in my family is really artistic,” Gil said.

On canvas, Gil mainly works with oil painting, and her favorite subject to paint is Native Americans. Other than being on the swim team and painting, Gil also works with the CEC kids during her free periods.

“When I’m older, I want to become an art therapist,” she said.

An art therapist is someone who uses art to help kids with special needs to relax.

“I decided to start working with the kids now to get a feel for how it is,” Gil said.

Last year Gil went to a convention for kids with autism where she helped them create their own art. Right then she discovered that she wanted to be an art therapist. Working with kids and art are two things she loves, which is why she wants to go into this profession.  Gil looks forward to working with the kids throughout the year, and leading her first art session with them.