Justice is (not) Blind
People of color, poor people, and other minorities are disproportionately criminalized, which is unjust.
Visual Art
Bulletproof
It’s incredibly disheartening how school shootings are almost normalized now. They happen, we talk about them for a few days, and then everyone goes back to normal until it happens again. No child should lose their life to violence, especially not the kind that could be easily prevented by gun control laws.
Raising Hope
The woman I was drawing wasn’t going to be able to finish high school with a child, but through many revisions decided she would find success rather than failure. Many young women in this position are unable to finish highschool and have difficult paths to figure out. I realized that although life throws curveballs, people are still able to achieve their goals under tough circumstances. My hope is that women in this situation are able to make choices that are best for them, and no matter what have support to help them achieve their goals and education.
Two Birds on a Wire
Whenever I am well enough to support the people I care about, I will do so, and if I ever fall down, I know I have people that will support me.
From Caged to Unafraid
My art symbolizes coming out for queer people. As more and more people and forms of media become more accepting of the LGBTQIA+ community, there is more hope.
How to Help A Friend
My drawing represents how to help a friend. Sometimes there are issues, conflcits and problems and sometimes when you need help you cna turn to friends. With friends you can feel free to talk about your problems. Letting friends know you are there for them is so important.
Healing Through Art
My submission is a digital art piece meant to portray myself painting a self portrait! Art has always been an outlet for my emotions. When there aren’t any words to describe how I’m feeling, no one for me to express my emotions to, I start drawing and painting. To me, the process of creating art is calming. It helps me reflect on myself greatly. Contrary to what people might believe, I believe that being able to express yourself through art isn’t exclusive to people who identify as “artists”. Anyone can create art, because behind every art piece is emotion——and we all have emotions.
Cultivating Mental Health
My submission highlights the importance of taking care of our mental health and compares it to taking care of a plant. Our mental health is a delicate system that requires careful attention, just like a fragile plant. When we provide the right conditions, it can flourish remarkably.
Mental Health Matters
This piece supports people asking for help and also reminds people that they are brave for asking for help.
Helping Hand
My entry is a watercolor painting of a person helping a friend climb up a hill. I decided to show these two people in the outdoors because, a lot of the time when I don’t feel great, being outside is the best way to ease any stress on my mind. […] Sometimes we can’t do everything by ourselves, and it is important to both provide and ask for help when times are tough.