“Never assume that because something is lesser known, less expensive or less prestigious, that it is somehow less valuable. Hillsborough College (HC) is small and tight-knit, and there’s a charm I can appreciate.”
Tampa native Dylan Frier was a part-time student who completed his final semester at HC in summer 2026. Since enrolling at the College in January 2024, he has earned recognition at the local, district and national levels in the American Advertising Awards (ADDYs), the advertising industry’s largest competition hosted by the American Advertising Federation (AAF), and will begin attending the Ringling College of Art and Design this fall.
“I needed a good steppingstone between high school and a larger university,” Dylan said about choosing HC. “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do straight out of high school. I didn’t consider art as a possibility.”
At HC, Dylan found more than a pathway to a four-year institution. He discovered a passion for art, meaningful mentorship and a supportive community that helped shape his academic and creative journey.
Outside of the classroom, Dylan immersed himself in HC’s art community through student clubs and gallery exhibitions. He was a member of the art club and participated in the most recent Annual Student Juried Art Exhibition, where he won the Gallery’s Choice Award for his piece, “Dull.”
Dylan encourages future students to take advantage of opportunities available to them at HC.
“In your two years, you really must use the resources. Talk to the professors. These people are talented. I’ve been through the program, I’ve taken the classes with the same people, and so many are on an upward trajectory,” he said. “Not taking feedback hampers artists. Take feedback and be passionate about it. It can take you very far.”
During Dylan’s first semester, he was required to take Photography 1, which included working in a darkroom to develop and print film. While challenging, the course brought students together and helped build close-knit relationships that would define his experience in the program.
Dylan made many connections with his peers. He kept a group of around 12 students who would stay after class in the labs four days a week, work alongside one another, venture into Ybor City for lunch and return to finish the day.
“It’s a little random thing I appreciate and want to bring with me,” he said.
One of his strongest connections was with his professor, Omar Richardson, who encouraged him to submit work to the ADDYs.
The ADDYs are divided into three tiers: local, district and national. Dylan only discovered the competition about six months before entering and submitted four pieces to the 2026 competition. All four pieces were created in Richardson’s class, where he applied what he learned during his foundational art courses.
“I had to think, ‘Who’s the target audience, and what message am I trying to send?’ You must think of your message and build around it,” he said. “Everything had to be vectorized in my pieces, and the classes had their critiques. I listened to the feedback, got better and submitted the updated versions.”
Dylan’s submission process required him to create a mockup spread of his work online. Support from the HC Foundation helped cover submission fees and travel expenses, allowing him to compete and participate in the AAF’s national conference, ADMERICA, in Austin, Texas.
He won recognition at the local level with three golds and one silver. At the district level, he won one gold and two silvers. At the national level, he earned two Silver National Student Awards.
“I’ll be a student for another three years. I’ll keep my connections alive, and I’ll submit to other competitions,” he said. “Students should submit to any competition. I never thought I would win at a local level, but I did.”
The art community at HC has become very personal to Dylan, as it helped him find structure in school, meet deadlines, seek mentorship and continue to grow as an artist. His time at HC fostered new opportunities and helped him grow both personally and artistically.
Those experiences helped solidify Dylan’s decision to continue his education in the arts.
After graduating from HC in summer 2026 with his AA degree, Dylan will begin classes at Ringling College of Art and Design, where he plans to pursue illustration with a minor in graphic design.
He chose Ringling for many of the same reasons he appreciated HC, including its passion for the arts and close-knit creative community. As he continues his education, Dylan hopes to grow as a storyteller and artist. His ultimate goal is to find fulfillment through his work and contribute to art’s history.
“When I go to Ringling, I want to pursue more storytelling,” he said. “’Woodcarver’ won at the ADDY as a poster. In the future, I hope to expand the story into a graphic novel and create additional fine art pieces inspired by it.”
Dylan’s passion for the arts was ignited by his professors at HC, and he hopes to continue building that foundation at Ringling. He credits his art instructor, Chris Weeks, with sparking his interest and appreciation for art. He also thanks Richardson for his mentorship and for encouraging him to submit to competitions.
“Really just find what you’re passionate about in life and really push for it,” he said. “Take risks. I’ve had a lot of students and peers help guide me in that. It’s something I’d love to pass down.”
From arriving at HC unsure of his future to earning national recognition through the ADDYs, Dylan’s journey is proof that taking risks, embracing feedback and pursuing your passion can open doors you never expected.