Elian Feliz's Community Spotlight

Elian Feliz joined our Teen Bridge Program when he was a junior in high school. Today, he is a senior in college getting his BFA in Education at Mass Art. He has learned and worked at the Eliot School in a variety of positions along the way. Initially, after graduating from Teen Bridge, he came back as a Program Assistant for our 2024 Artist Residency and has since become a Teaching Assistant for our Summer Program for Children and School & Community Partnerships. He hopes to become a lead teacher after he graduates from Mass Art. 

Our School & Community Partnership Program sends teaching artists to schools and community centers throughout Boston, sharing the joy of making things by hand with students of all ages who might not otherwise have access to it. Last year, Elian taught woodworking to students at Joyce Kilmer School, Boston Collegiate Charter School, and The Croft School, and is looking forward to going back to those classrooms this year. In this month’s Community Spotlight, we heard why he loves teaching art through this program, and how the Eliot School has impacted his life. 

Transcript

My name is Elian Feliz. I go to Mass Art, and I am majoring in education. I joined the Eliot School when I was in high school during 11th grade. Actually, I wanted to join the Eliot since middle school. I was very, very happy when I finally joined. I prepared a full folder. 

What is your favorite artistic medium? 

My favorite artistic medium is graphite. I really like drawing and just putting pencil to paper. I love the limitations of it. I will fight anyone on that. 

What initially made you want to join Teen Bridge? 

Growing up, I never had an art class, and even during high school we didn't have art classes. So I said, ‘Well, I like drawing, and I would like to be better at drawing, so how about I join this art program where I will get paid for drawing and learning how to draw? That would be cool.’ 

What kept you involved with the Eliot School after you graduated from Teen Bridge? 

Well, I really liked the community there. I just think it’s so refreshing to have this space for artistic kids to come and make art. 

What do you do at the Eliot School now? 

At the Eliot School, I work as a teaching assistant, and I hope in the future to work as a lead teacher. I’ve been TAing mainly for woodworking, both in the summer program and in the partnership program. 

What have you enjoyed most about working in the School Partnership Program? 

Getting to meet these newer schools and the teachers and getting into these environments. You learn so many things, and it’s so engaging to see kids actually being kids, you know? Just like playing around and having fun. 

Even though I work at the Eliot School, it doesn’t really feel like a job because I enjoy it. There’s been times when I have a very crappy day and then come to the Eliot. It’s such a nice escape to focus on what I’m doing, and just teach art, and do art, and be surrounded by so much positivity.