To honor Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15, the Departments of World Languages and Cultures and Art and Design have joined together. They are seeking works of arts, including original paintings, digital art, posters, screen printing, photography or original poems or short stories written in Spanish.
The theme, chosen by World Languages and Cultures Department Chair Dr. Kelly Suero, is "Expressions of Identity and Community."
“Many students here are part of these communities, or have friends and family who are, making it a theme that resonates with everyone on some level,” Suero said. “By embracing this theme, we aim to celebrate the unique identities within the Hispanic and Latino communities and stimulate a deeper understanding of the importance of culture and language in our shared experiences.”
The deadline to submit will be Oct. 1. There is no limit to how many submissions a student can make.
Three winners will have their art displayed in the International Arts Center. The winners will also receive a Rodeo Mexican Restaurant gift card for $50, $25 and $15, respectively.
“Each submission will reflect not only individual perspectives but also the ways in which our shared cultural roots shape who we are as a community,” Suero said.
To enter, students should email a photo of their work to ksuero@troy.edu. The email should include the student’s name, classification, email, phone number and a brief description of the artwork. If chosen as a winner, the student will be contacted to submit the physical piece.
In addition to Suero, the contest judges will include three art and design professors: Will Jacks, Tiffany Belda and Chris Stagl.
Stagl offered two pieces of advice for students: to push themselves creatively and to find a way to tell a personal story.
“Let it be something that you've experienced,” Stagl said. “Go take photographs of people that you know of a Hispanic background, or go design a poster around a significant Hispanic event.
“Really let it be something that drives your creative. Art is always better when it's personal, so make it personal.”
Stagl said when Suero suggested the idea of a collaborative contest, he and the other judges were immediately on board with no hesitation at the chance to work across disciplines and provide a contest that includes students with a variety of interests.
“Hispanic heritage means something different to everyone, and everyone's got unique and personal stories to tell,” Stagl said. “Students can venture into a media that they're comfortable with to document their personal stories and their journeys.”
Suero emphasized how art and the celebration of diverse cultures has the power to bring people together.
“Through these artistic expressions, we have the opportunity to learn from one another—understanding the unique stories and experiences that make us stronger as a whole,” Suero said.
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