Dyymond Whipper-Young is a nationally recognized artist, and not to mention, a Temple student.
She is a senior advertising major at Temple University with an art direction in Klein College of Media & Communication and a minor in entrepreneurship.
“Art pursues me, not I pursue art.” Dyymond Whipper-Young said. She says art has shaped her both as a person and as an artist.
The 2016 Homecoming Queen grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, which had a major impact on her art direction. It all began when she would doodle on her papers during class in elementary school.
Instead of reprimanding Dyymond, her teachers would help with her drawings.
“Everyone was always very encouraging,” she said.
Magnet schools, or public schools with specialized courses, were available throughout Baltimore. She was accepted into Sudbrook Magnet Middle School and Carver Center for Arts and Technology, where she studied until her senior year of high school.
Besides her teachers, Dyymond received nothing but support from her mother, LaDonna.
“My mother told me to follow my passions,” she said. She also expressed the importance of surrounding herself with a “positive team.”
“I need that constructive criticism sometimes,” she said.
The Tyler School of Art paid a visit to Dyymond’s Magnet School to review the portfolios of students. After viewing Dyymond’s portfolio, she was accepted into the Tyler School of Art on the spot.
“I got into the Tyler School of Art before I even got accepted to the University,” she said.
Dyymond’s passion for art and the city contributed to her decision to study at Temple University.
“I wanted that typical university experience with a strong art program,” Dyymond said.
Dyymond turned down exceptional offers from other well-known art colleges and universities such as Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Moore College of Design and the Maryland Institute College of Art.
Dyymond does most of her work specifically for clients, known as commissions.
“I enjoy evoking emotion,” Dyymond said. Though most of her work is done as directed, how it affects people and their thoughts is what she is most proud of.
Temple University has played an important role in Dyymond’s confidence.
“I get support from everyone here,” Whipper-Young said. “Friends, peers, professors. My favorite professor here is Rayce Rollins for my advertising class,” she said.
Dyymond feels the professors at Temple provide guidance and share their real-world experiences to teach their students. With so much praise and recognition, Dyymond fears getting too comfortable with her work. “I want more,” she said.
The city of Philadelphia has brought Dyymond’s artwork to another level. “I’m going to do a mural,” she said. And she did just that.
During the summer of her sophomore year, Dyymond interned with the Mural Arts Program of Philly. She contributed to the creation of the 76ers mural on the corner of Broad and Federal Streets.
“I am always in the right [environment] at the right time,” Whipper-Young said. “I try to be in places that can contribute to my success.”
“I second-guess myself every single day,” she said. However, she never feels like a ‘starving artist.’
“There’s just so many possibilities out there,” she said when expressing an interest in freelancing as well as expanding art to become more business-focused.
Currently, Whipper-Young’s dream is to become a creative director.
“I’m not sure though.” she said, “I’m not big on structure, I’m big on foundation.” Through her paintings and sculptures, Dyymond also plans on creating social change so that people feel comfortable with themselves.
Not only is she involved in clubs across campus, but her work has been displayed in California, New York and Florida. Just a junior, Dyymond hosted her own art show, DWHPP and Friends, in February of 2017 where she invited eight other artists to display their work.
Dyymond wanted to thank everyone who contributed to the success of DWHPP and Friends and who have also supported her.
“To know me is to love me,” Whipper-Young said, “I just want the best for everyone.”
Written by: Ashley Mir
Photos: Isaiah Spicer
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