Walking into her first class at Clarke University, Alyssa VanderHeiden expected the usual first-day routine—introductions, syllabi, maybe some icebreakers. What she didn’t expect was to hear her professor mention her work at the Figge Art Museum. As her classmates turned toward her, the weight of that moment sank in. Her art had already begun making an impact beyond the walls of a classroom.
“It was crazy,” VanderHeiden recalled. “To have my work recognized like that? It made me feel like I was really doing something meaningful.”
A December 2024 graduate of Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC), VanderHeiden is now a Studio Art major at Clarke University with a minor in Graphic Design. But long before her art hung in a museum, before professors were acknowledging her work on day one, she was a kid in Wheatland, Iowa, sketching whatever captured her attention.
A Natural Artist
Art has been woven into VanderHeiden’s life for as long as she can remember. From childhood doodles to high school art classes, she always had a pencil in hand. But for years, it was just that—a hobby, something she enjoyed but never imagined turning into a career. That perspective started to shift when she entered college.
“I loved art growing up, but I didn’t really think about making a career out of it,” she said. “It wasn’t until college that I really started considering what I could do with it long-term.”
Choosing EICC
For VanderHeiden, EICC was the perfect starting point. Coming from a small-town school system, she valued the close-knit classroom experience and the opportunity to save money while earning her degree.
“I was able to take concurrent courses in high school, which made my transition into college really smooth,” she said. “And I liked the small class sizes because I could really connect with my professors.”
One of those professors was Nicole Davis, who encouraged her to push her creative boundaries. VanderHeiden also received a scholarship from the Paul B. Sharar Foundation, a moment that reinforced her decision to pursue art.
Still Life, Still Searching
Still Life Self-Portrait was more than an assignment. It was an exploration of self. Created entirely in ballpoint pen, the piece was both a technical challenge and a reflection of her identity.
The concept was simple: gather objects that represent who you are. The execution, however, required patience, precision, and a commitment to detail. Her final composition featured an easel, paintbrushes, yarn, crochet hooks, cat figurines, and—front and center—Taylor Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version) album.
“I was in that stage of life where I was figuring out who I was,” VanderHeiden said. “When people asked me to describe myself, I didn’t really know how. But gathering these objects, putting them together in one image, helped me sort of define that.”
Every detail, every line, mattered. Working exclusively with pen meant no erasing, no second chances.
“The pen is so permanent,” she said. “If you mess up, you have to figure out how to work with it. That was a huge learning curve, but also a good life lesson—sometimes you just have to make it work.”
Sketchbook to Spotlight
When VanderHeiden found out her work had been selected for the Figge Art Museum’s College Invitational, she was honored but also surprised.
“I honestly didn’t expect my piece to be chosen,” she admitted. “It wasn’t the biggest or the most elaborate, but I think that’s what made it special. It was personal.”
Standing in the museum, surrounded by artwork from talented students across the region, VanderHeiden felt a mix of pride and disbelief. She had always loved drawing, but seeing her work displayed in a professional setting shifted something inside her.
“It made everything feel real,” she said. “Like I wasn’t just drawing in my room anymore—I was part of something bigger.”
Finding Confidence in Her Work
Like many artists, VanderHeiden has struggled with self-doubt, often measuring her work against others. Seeing her piece displayed in a museum changed that.
“I think every artist deals with imposter syndrome at some point,” she said. “But seeing my piece in a museum made me realize that my work has value. It doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s, it just has to be mine.”
That perspective followed her to Clarke University. She no longer second-guesses every decision but instead trusts her instincts and lets her creativity lead. She’s now expanding her skills in graphic design, digital art, and illustration. Each project challenges her to refine her style and grow as an artist.
Her goal? To bring characters and stories to life through illustration, animation, or concept design.
“I love stories,” she said. “I love the idea of creating something that feels like it belongs in a bigger world.”
More than anything, she’s learning to trust herself. To focus on progress rather than perfection.
“Don’t compare yourself to others too much,” she said. “Everyone’s on their own journey. You gain nothing by putting yourself down. Just focus on your own process and keep going.”
Because, as VanderHeiden has discovered, sometimes the things that define you aren’t always obvious—until you create them yourself.