Jomellie “Joy” Salonga is an architectural designer with Saunders + Crouse Architects in Virginia Beach, VA., designing multifamily housing, managing construction administration and gaining a better understanding of master planning. She currently works in the City she was born in but shortly after high school she moved to Los Angeles, CA to pursue her passion in the arts and started teaching art at the local Charter School. Joy knew from an early age she wanted to give back through her artful talents and teaching art with only a few college credits she had the opportunity to study all areas of art from contemporary, classical, modern dance, sculptural and painting as well as architecture which she found very intriguing. Joy was eager to be inspired and traveled to many global cites visiting works of art- Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, Toronto, and Alaska inspired her the most. She realized all these different places have one common thread- people are exhilarated with art. From preserving their history in museums, accentuating their culture, and celebrating the environment by creating works of sculpture and architecture accompanied by gathering spaces for everyone to enjoy as art can only be expressed when shared. This would influence Joy’s ideology as her passion for the arts and philanthropic values would have a common direction. Instead of encouraging an entire classroom she wanted to inspire the world through leading by example and architecture would be that platform. Joy started working as a designer, after teaching art for almost three years. She would then graduate in 2016 with a Bachelor of Architecture from NewSchool of Architecture + Design, in San Diego, CA. Joy studied urban master planning and environmental design with a minor study in neuroscience- she was fascinated with how spaces of all types can affect one’s behavior. Her work in California ranged from high-end residential to commercial work of offices and restaurants. Joy continues to find meaning in her work by creating aspiring spaces and being involved in the architectural and design community- she is driven to show the world art can be inspiring and enriching to the mind, heart, and soul.