An array of honor students enrolled in Fine Arts Appreciation class gave personal presentations to nurture their creative voices during NW Campus’ fourth annual Creative Voice Symposium Nov. 17.

Sarah Duncan started the symposium with a presentation on racial issues.

“Mixed” or interracial individuals are seen instantly as black when really the perception or vision of that person is being limited, she said. “We stop at color, and it blinds us of humanity.”

Duncan used surrealism as an art style to help the audience understand that vision is often limited in the form of stereotyping.

“It takes a responsible person to change their perceptions,” she said.

Angela Taylor’s presentation included her personal tale of domestic violence and the sudden loss of her children through the Southern court system.

“I lost my two youngest within 45 minutes into the trial,” she said. 

After her children were taken away from her in a legal battle with her husband, Taylor said she began educating herself so she can eventually change laws and is now helping women similar to the person she used to be.

“I want to be the voice for the weak or those who have no resources,” she said.

Relating to Pablo Picasso, Taylor made her own artwork to symbolize her fight for justice and the memory of her children.

“When you fall down, you have to stand back up,” she said.

Karla Diaz spoke on her love of her hometown, Durango, Mexico, and the culture she and her family proudly keep alive.

Sarah Young gave an untitled speech to portray that not everything has to be labeled.

“Once you get down to it, we are all the same,” she said.

Being a part of the lesbian and gay community can mean that person will be labeled, Young said. Using skeletal art, Young portrayed everyone as equals.

“We all eat, sleep, relax and fall in love,” she said.

Another student, Candy Castaneda, spoke on responsibilities and evolving as a person.

“You are your actions,” she said.

Just because someone says others can’t do something does not mean they cannot do it. People have to assume the responsibility, Castaneda said.

“I am a Latina and a woman going against statistics that say I can’t succeed,” she said.

Sydney Strong, a veteran ballerina and art major, based her presentation on the healing properties of art and humor. With her own images of less-than-graceful ballerinas, Strong shared an unfamiliar side of ballet.

“Don’t be afraid to laugh, even at art,” she said.

The closing presentation for the first half of the symposium paired art students Melissa Ackley and Emma Traylor, who examined vanity in society.

“We strive to accomplish a look of perfection, sometimes subconsciously,” Ackley said.

With the convenience of technology to compare oneself to others, people are always looking in mirrors, they said.