On April 26, the Guardian Scholars Program exhibited Under The Surface, an art gallery that reflects the internal struggles you can’t always see.
The Guardian Scholars Program provides support such as financial aid and mentorship to foster youth and homeless students at Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB). Some of the former foster youth in the program displayed their artwork in the Alumni and Visitors Center.
The student-artists, all former foster youth now attending CSUMB, have been working on their art projects since February. Though most of the pieces on display were either photo collages or paintings, the idea was that any medium could be used to express oneself.
Lissa Alaniz, an advisor for the Guardian Scholars Program, was inspired to create Under the Surface after a visit to a traveling museum. “I’ve always had a passion [for] working with the foster care system,” said Alaniz. “So this exhibit is based off of a Lost Childhood exhibit that was hosted about seven years ago called the Foster Youth Museum.”
It is the job of Alaniz’ and others working with the Guardian Scholars Program to provide aid to students who have been in the foster care system. “I was really struggling a lot last semester with just, like, living on campus,” said Jessie Howe, whose art collages were on display. “I didn’t really have money, and Guardian Scholars really came through and was able to get me an emergency grant.”
The first to speak at the event was Glodean Champion, a professional consultant and the author of “Salmon Croquettes.” Set in 1965, Salmon Croquettes is a coming-of-age story about a Black child’s exploration of gender identity and expression. It takes place in Los Angeles during the Watts Riots, which Champion says is a misrepresented chapter of American history. The Watts Riots were not senseless, spur-of-the-moment acts of violence, as they are often portrayed she said.
At the event, Champion spoke of her own experience growing up as a Black girl with a single adoptive mother in the mid-20th century. She posed the question, “What does it even mean to have a ‘normal’ family?” and expressed her love throughout her speech for the Black mother who raised her.
Champion gave multiple points of advice throughout her speech.
Her points included: establish your values, be yourself, find someone or something to fight for, get comfortable being vulnerable, practice empathy and build a solid team.
A common theme throughout the event was building a solid team and creating your own family. “When someone believes and invests in you, the idea of believing and investing in yourself becomes second nature,” said Champion in her presentation.
“Even though my own family abandoned me, family is not defined by genes,” said Tiffany Shawar, whose artwork was on display. Shawar made a painting of a butterfly, which she said represents coming out of a dark place.
Makayla Thomas, another artist and speaker, shared a similar sentiment. “It’s OK if you’re not speaking to anyone who’s biologically related to you.”
“We built a family for ourselves,” adds Howe. Her work was a series of collages of photographs. She combined pictures of her younger self with pictures of her today, and of the people currently in her life.
Following the presentations, guests were free to walk around and admire the art. First-year Melany Meneze said the exhibit “really makes me think a bit and reflect on my own experiences, and how everyone’s experiences are different. But we each have our own stories that we tell; some people tell that through art.”
