Tears of Ukraine

Written by Rita Krukovska

Rita is 14 years old and received her first Seeds scholarship in 2023. 

My name is Rita, and I am from Odessa, Ukraine. My mom and I came to New York in 2022 to wait until the war in Ukraine ended but later decided to stay. I enjoy living here because I have many opportunities to grow as an artist and continue what I started in Odessa.

My artistic path began when I decided to become an artist after reading a book about Frida Kahlo. At the age of six, I entered my first art school in Odessa, named after the artist Kyriak Konstantinovich Kostandi.

While living in Odessa, I participated in many art projects at the Odessa Fine Arts Museum. I also took part in the museum’s project “Kids for Kids” – video guide, where children explain to other children why visiting museums is exciting and important.

When I was nine, I created my own startup: I drew magical creatures on my iPad, printed them as stickers, and sold them. This summer, I plan to continue selling my stickers with the goal of earning $4,800. I want to save this money to buy tickets to Odessa to visit my grandparents and pets and donate 30% of the sales to homeless animals in Ukraine.

My projects in New York last year focused on art and charity. One was with the Sonia Delaunay Foundation, where I created a print for a T-shirt. I also participated in an auction with my artwork “Tears of Ukraine,” which sold for $2,000. Another important experience was the theater project “Teen Ukrainian Theatre,” where we wrote the script ourselves—an emotional and meaningful process. I designed the poster for our performance.

My life is centered around creating. Mostly I draw, although last year was difficult and I barely had any art classes. Once we realized we would stay in New York, we started looking for the right art school. When we saw the name The Art Students League on the building and walked inside, I immediately felt that this was where I belonged.

I’d also like to share a bit about how I see art. I believe it has no strict rules; you can express yourself through pop art, avant-garde, surrealism, or anything modern. I love drawing magical creatures most of all and spending nearly all my free time making art. I have many favorite artists, all of them women: Sonia Delaunay, Yayoi Kusama, and Maria Prymachenko—one of Picasso’s favorite artists. Another great inspiration for me is Frida Kahlo. I consider myself a feminist because I believe there should be far more female artists. Women are no less capable than men, yet for every hundred male artists, there is often only one woman. This feels deeply unfair to me.

Now, after two years at the Art Students League, I can truly say this place has become my source of strength. Here, I don’t just learn—I grow, find inspiration, and discover who I am. During this time, I’ve explored a wide range of classes and techniques, from painting and drawing to sculpture. It’s a unique environment where everyone can find something that resonates with them.

I love the atmosphere—creative, free, and authentic. I’m grateful to the teachers who not only guide us, but reveal a far deeper world of art. The people I share the studio with are all different, yet united by the same passion. Every time I walk into the building, I feel supported, inspired, and stronger. The Art Students League has become a meaningful and beloved part of my life.