Godwin Heights — Adan Santos’s family knew he loved art from an early age. Family members recall that he once decorated his father’s paycheck with illustrations so thoroughly that it could not be cashed.
Today, few students in Godwin Heights have not seen — or worn — Adan’s artwork. His designs have appeared on T-shirts, posters and promotional materials for a variety of school events.
“Adan was a quiet student who spoke loudly through his art,” said Deanne Basse, a former Godwin Heights art teacher who taught Adan during his freshman year. “His ability to accurately translate what he saw across a wide range of scales was beyond impressive. He was thoughtful and reflective when receiving feedback, but his natural passion and eye for detail were far beyond his years.”
Basse said she is excited to see where Adan goes next and how he shares his artistic voice, adding that he is “destined to leave his mark on the art world.”
Basse is not the only one impressed by Adan’s work. Several people pointed it out during April’s district-wide art show, which featured work from K-12 students.
Adan said he was overwhelmed by the attention as students, staff, parents and community leaders filed through to view his sketches and drawings.
‘You can have opportunities, but if you don’t pursue them, they don’t mean anything. Take those opportunities seriously.’
— 2026 GHHS grad Adan Santos
The spotlight was unfamiliar territory.
Anxiety that often appeared as shyness made it difficult for him to connect with others, and he never believed his artistic talent could lead to a career. As a result, school was not a priority.
“I didn’t think school would matter,” Adan said. “I wouldn’t stay after school for studying or tutoring, and I wouldn’t take assignments seriously.
“I would do the bare minimum. I’d think, ‘If it’s barely passing, what does it matter? I’m still passing.’”
Finding His Identity
Adan said he struggled to find a sense of identity or self-worth. When he saw the positive changes in his sister after she began attending church, he decided to go with her.
“I felt the love,” Adan said. “I had to love what I could do and love the talent God gave me. I took a different perspective on my talent. That’s when I actually wanted to pursue a career in art.”
He began sharing his artwork, including anime drawings he created during his freshman year.
“It was heartwarming that people actually liked my drawings,” he said.
He also had a piece in the 2026 Congressional Art Competition that was at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.
“Adan is someone who is determined and pushes himself to create the best piece possible,” said Megan Serin, a Godwin Heights art teacher. “Adan is full of kindness and resilience while also being incredibly humble. He lifts up those around him and is always willing to offer a helping hand. He has worked hard to build his artistic skills, and is now beginning to build a brand for himself.”
Adan credits the district and art teachers Basse and Serin with helping him develop social skills and his artistic abilities. Through classes including Intro to Art, Ceramics, Graphic Design, Drawing and Photography, he learned techniques that elevated his work, particularly through the use of shading.
“I learned how to use my lines differently and how to transfer an image onto paper without copying it,” said Adan, who is known for recreations of characters from the “Fast & Furious” franchise and pop culture figures such as Ice Cube.
“When I started drawing my favorite characters, people began recognizing my work,” he said. “Instead of saying, ‘You created this character,’ they would say, ‘I know that character; he’s from that show.’ That really kept me going.”
Leaving a Mark
As for a career, Adan said he was unsure how art could fit into his future, especially because he did not think his grades were strong enough for admission to a four-year college.
That changed during his senior year, when he began exploring career options and discovered tattooing.
“I’m already doing it on paper, so why not do it on people?” Adan said. “I would be leaving my signature on people.”
Adan hopes to participate in the national apprenticeship program Ink Different Tattoos, which partners with Detroit’s Dark Horse Tattoo. The 12- to 18-month program focuses on hands-on mentorship. Adan said he would like to eventually work as a tattoo artist in a major city such as Detroit.
“If somebody wants a drawing and asks, ‘Can you do this?’ I want to be at the stage where I can say, ‘Yes, I can do that and more,’” he said. “I also want to mentor others. Even though I didn’t have a mentor until high school, through my teachers, I want to be that person for someone else and teach them.”
Serin said she believes Adan can be successful in the field.
“He will set the standard for good design in that medium, and I’m sure he will have a line of people wanting to commission tattoo designs from him,” she said.
For the immediate future, Adan plans to work in construction with family members to save money for the apprenticeship program, which he hopes to begin within the year.
He also has advice for students entering or continuing high school.
“Take high school seriously as soon as possible. The opportunities are right in front of you. You can have opportunities, but if you don’t pursue them, they don’t mean anything. Take those opportunities seriously.”
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