NIA HENRY
Lafayette, LA
2025-2026 Scholarship Academy of Interactive Entertainment
Scholarship 2018-2019
Nia Henry is pursuing an Associate of Occupational Studies in Screen & Media — 3D Animation and VFX for Film at the Academy of Interactive Entertainment. She plans to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming an animator by building the assets she needs to be hired by a studio.
Henry’s passion for art began with drawing. “As a kid I loved making my own comics everyday in school. I couldn’t afford an art book so I was only left with a binder and a bunch of lined sheets of paper,” she recalls. She is grateful for YAYA where she was able to refine her skills and discover painting. “At YAYA, I was able to express myself and I was able to find people who I could connect with in a creative space,” she says.
The Academy of Interactive Entertainment is now serving as a supportive learning environment for Henry. “I finally found where I belong, where I can expand my creative expression, where I can make friends and make new opportunities,” she states, citing great education, resources, and fantastic teachers. She’s particularly interested in the story-telling side of illustration and animation, explaining, “I enjoy creating stories and creatures in my own imagination and I go in depth with their lore, personality and bestiary - creatures that resemble prehistoric animals with current animals with unique powers.” She is determined to stay on course to graduate and reach her goal of becoming an animator. “ I’m ready for my next chapter, I’m ready for the challenges, I’m ready for the world,” states Henry.
Nia Henry graduated from McDonogh 35 High School in 2018. She previously studied art at Delgado Community College. She first joined the YAYA Guild in 2018.
All works are copyright of the artist.