A Heart for Art

Growing up with three younger siblings, Northampton Community College (NCC) communication design student, Maura Ceglia, bonded with them over comics, cartoons, and fictional characters in books and shows.  

“We were surrounded by things that were fantastical. I was so inspired by the media that my siblings and I watched and played with that I want to inspire other people in a similar way.” 

Ceglia Always loved drawing. She’s done everything from digital drawing and illustration to fine art using graphite, paints, and more. “NCC classes helped me build up my realism skills, and I learned portraiture, still life, and more,” she says, but her true passion is character design. Her dream is to create her own animated series or graphic novels, as she fleshes out an original concept she’s been working on for five years. 

The communication design student chose NCC because she knew it would allow her to build the foundational skills she needed to build her portfolio. Her time at NCC has also afforded her the opportunity to connect with fellow artists with big dreams, she says.  

“I didn’t have as much confidence in my style because I didn’t have formal lessons, and I kept myself in a box with my artwork. I learned all of these new styles and techniques and experienced other perspectives in artwork which helped open me up in a way I haven’t been before. It improved my confidence and own personal style.” 

^{Ceglia's Self-Portrait from the Freshman Drawing Competition}

Ceglia participated in the Scholastic Art Awards in 2022 & 2024 and earned a Gold Key Award for a mixed media piece of a portrait of her little brother and two honorable mentions for two original characters she made. “It was awesome to see my experimental piece and portrait and then my favorite style highlighted. it made me feel like I could display and get accolades for both.” Her work has also been published in The Laconic Literary and Arts magazine at NCC.  

A first-generation college student, she says making her own way was a big learning curve, but she wants to lead by example for her younger siblings. Coming from low-income family, Ceglia feels the stress of having to earn money to pay for her schooling. She’s worked since high school, but she says she’s motivated to keep going so she can open the door to opportunities for growth in her life. 

She’s thankful for the two scholarships she earned to help with her NCC journey, the John W. and Annette Arnts Communications Scholarship Endowment Scholarship and the Eleanor Hospodor Conti Endowed Scholarship. 

While at NCC, she’s learned a lot through her work study for the art department and fostered meaningful relationships through the Art Connections Club where she served in the roles of social media manger, vice president, and president.  

“There’s people who have been drawing their whole life in the club and others who’ve never drawn a day in their life, but we all support each other no matter the skill level. You don’t even have to be an art student. We have fun, and it’s art for art’s sake.” 

One of the highlights of her time at NCC -- the study abroad trip to London. “I hadn't ever had the opportunity to travel growing up, and this was even my first time flying! The trip showed me I could make whatever I want out of my life because I realized that there’s so much more out there that's accessible if you work hard.”  

Ceglia will graduate this May, and she’s been accepted to the graphic design program at Kutztown University. She’ll be attending with her younger brother who will be entering as a freshman. She hopes to work in animation and illustration, but she’s open to other avenues like merchandise design, which has captured her attention.  

“The journey is more important to me than the end,” she says, “Being an artist means constantly learning and improving. You don’t have to be in the same situation forever."