It Starts with a Student: Mimi Doyo’s Full-Circle Journey
Amy "Mimi” Doyo (Ryman ‘19)
By Rebecca Flores, Development & Communications Coordinator
For 36 years, Ryman Arts has fostered a community where young artists grow within, contribute back to, and carry with them into their futures. It starts with a student – and as alumnus and Site Supervisor Amy “Mimi” Doyo shares, that community is a powerful resource for individual growth.
“Staying connected with my instructors and peers after completing the program showed me how important community and relationships are. Throughout my academic and professional journey, the creative network I’ve built along the way has encouraged and supported me whenever I needed it. Ryman Arts helped me understand that you don’t have to navigate a career alone.”
Mimi graduated from the program in 2019, but that wasn’t the end of her journey with Ryman Arts: she soon after joined the team as a Teaching Assistant before becoming a Site Supervisor, where she supported Ryman Arts classes by maintaining the safety and the integrity of the program and the relationship with our valued campus partners. We have been delighted and grateful to have Amy as part of our team, and although she is now transitioning out of her role to explore new opportunities on the East Coast, her experience reflects what Ryman Arts aims to create for every student: more than a place to develop technical creative skills, but a true community which supports talented youths by providing important opportunities for their personal engagement and professional growth.
“Returning as a Site Supervisor has allowed me to see the program as a whole and help shape the next generation of young artists, preparing them not only for college, but also to envision the possibilities of a career in the arts.”
This cycle of mentorship is fundamental to the Ryman Arts legacy. Alumni carry firsthand knowledge of the challenges and possibilities students encounter, making their continued involvement especially meaningful for the students who follow them. Ryman Arts believes that our students and community succeed when given the support and tools to evolve, and we’re grateful for the role that our dedicated alumni continue to play in supporting each new generation of young artists.
As we celebrate Mimi’s next chapter—which included an exhibition as an Artist-in-Residence at Blue Roof before her move eastward this fall—we look forward to seeing new Ryman Arts students begin to chart paths of their own. Some may one day return as Teaching Assistants, mentors, educators, or creative professionals themselves. Mimi’s journey is one example of how the Ryman Arts experience extends far beyond the classroom and into a creative community supported by the same spirit of mentorship and opportunity that has defined the program for more than 35 years. We are proud of the community our students and alumni help create and can’t wait to see what lies ahead for each dedicated individual.