College student picks up a paintbrush, and 9 months later has a major art exhibit

A brush and palette. — (Image credit: iStock)

It started as a whim, and turned into an opportunity all artists dream about.

University of Miami student Matthew Hanzman is studying political science, but decided nine months ago that he wanted to "give this art thing a good shot," he told The Miami Herald. The 21-year-old began painting, and now more than 70 of his pieces will be on display at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, where he is the first painter in the Emerging Artists Showcase.

Miami is "eclectic" and "vibrant," Hanzman said, and he told The Miami Herald his artwork "reflects Miami's diversity." One piece, "Forever," is an acrylic on canvas that "demonstrates graffiti, street culture that's not typically associated with fine art," he said. "My art isn't instantly gratifying, it slowly reveals itself to the viewer." Hanzman is about to start his senior year at the University of Miami, and while he's not giving up his political science studies, he's now "completely obsessed with art," he said. "I hope to keep this going in the future."

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Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.