About Anniliese Ahrens:

My name is Anniliese Ahrens, I was born and raise about 60 miles south of Chicago. I have a very close relationship with my family, and find myself going to visit them frequently when school permits. My family means a lot to me and I am very grateful for having the relationship I do with them. They have supported me through thick and thin and I am very appreciative for that and all they have done for me. I moved to the city fall of 2010 to attend school at Columbia College Chicago where I am majoring in Graphic design. I am currently a junior at Columbia and enjoy living in the city. Even though my hometown is close Chicago is a completely different environment. The vibe I get from the city is unmatchable to that of my hometown. Chicago has really opened my eyes to different cultures and opportunities. Chicago has really made me grow into who I am today. Most of my designs and artwork are surrounded around culture, social issues, and nature.

Being in the city now has really expanded my knowledge of culture. I had also worked at O’hare airport in the international terminal. This was really a huge eye opener and at first was a little bit of a culture shock for me. Not being able to orally communicate with most people due to the language differences proved to be difficult. Eventually though I adapted to the many ways of individuals I encountered. I really was able to get a better understanding and appreciation of cultural differences working at O’hare. Working there I also learned that when you do come to appreciate and get to know a culture and take the time out to learn some handy questions and phrases in different languages, people appreciate you more and you can create a more personable connection.

Chicago has expanded my cultural knowledge already in this short time and I believe will only continue to grow with the diverse nature that this city offers. Even attending Columbia College offers a very diverse crowd. Every semester I’ve had classes that have a wide range of different individuals, including foreign students. This creates a diverse environment for me, which I could not get back home. It has really helped me open my eyes to different forms of art.

After I graduate next year from Columbia College I hope to stay living in Chicago and get a job in the Graphic Design field, and possibly doing some freelance work on the side. I could not imagine living away from the city of Chicago and all it has to offer. I have everything I could ever need in this city and more. The diverseness that is compacted into this small section of the Midwest is incredible. I have been able to experience a lot of cultures of the world without leaving the state. I have visited many other large cities in the United States, but Chicago by far is my home.

The golf ball “The World Around Us” would be painted as the sun and then painted around the whole piece would be all the planets in our solar system.

The golf ball “Chicago Says Hello” is inspired by all the different cultures that are apparent in Chicago. Chicago is a very welcoming city for everyone.