ANDREW BRUCE
New Orleans, LA
2025-2026 Scholarship Xavier University of Louisiana
Scholarship 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025
Andrew Bruce is entering his senior year at Xavier University where he is pursuing a BS in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and concentrations in French and Art. He primarily works in glass and ceramics, captivated by the magical properties of glass and clay’s connection to the earth. “I often try to capture the realism and fluidity of the natural world in my work, translating sketches of animals into fused glass designs. There’s a meditative joy in watching those images come to life in a medium so delicate yet enduring,” he says. Bruce expresses gratitude for the patience needed to sculpt with clay. “Sculpting helps me slow down and reflect, and that process has taught me that creativity often grows strongest through persistence,” he states.
When he is looking to get ideas out more quickly, Bruce reaches for more accessible materials like charcoal, graphite, and paint. He notes that his studies in French and History have shifted his creative thought process. “My coursework has sparked a deep interest in historical art, especially how colonialism has influenced artistic traditions.” He aims to render the world with transparency and honor. “But now, as I learn more about how animals, food, and culture have been represented—especially through colonial narratives—I feel a stronger pull to question, reinterpret, and represent those images with more awareness and intention,” he explains. “I want people to understand the stories and feelings behind the pieces, whether they’re inspired by a butterfly’s wing, a handmade dish passed down through generations, or the quiet dignity of a clay bowl.”
His goal is to tell stories rooted in nature, culture, and personal history. “Whether through the cool shine of glass, the warmth of clay, or the softness of graphite, I want to create pieces that hold meaning, invite reflection, and bring a bit of the world—my world—closer to those who experience them,” says Bruce, who plans to pursue graduate studies after completing his degree at Xavier.
Andrew Bruce graduated from Jesuit High School of New Orleans in 2022. He first joined the YAYA Guild in 2019.
All works are copyright of the artist.