Student Showcase 2024

The Time Back Then
Duy Anh Duong

Location: Yuma

My project is called The Time Back Then. It is a combination of art and original ideas aligning with Aesthetics and Creative Thinking Principle. The bird drawing displays the play of lines and monochromatic harmony, demonstrating the aesthetic value of visual art. Then, the poem, inspired by the bird, adds another layer of meaning. It captures the essence of flight, freedom, learning, and nostalgia through carefully chosen words, figurative language, and the free verse poem. Aesthetics extend beyond the visual; they resonate in language and evoke feelings. By merging two forms of expression, visual art, and written language, creative thinking allows me to explore more about literature, novel combinations, and the interplay of art and the artist's thoughts.

Drawing a bird standing in the window looking outside the world recalls the old ordinary cycle of life that the bird used to have. At the same time, it displays the bird's journey, reflecting its accumulation of new experiences, knowledge, and liberation as it transcends its past and flies higher. By using metonymy, the image of a bird represents me, who flew across 8,390 miles from Vietnam to the U.S. All of my thoughts, feelings, and nostalgia are shared through my project. While working on this project, I found that I was limited in choosing the right words to write the poem because of the lack of words and experience. Therefore, I need to learn more to improve my creative writing skills.

Alter Ego - Jeremy
Cleo Cortez

Location: San Luis

This project was made with a specific goal in mind - to create a monster-like clay statue to represent a hidden part of ourselves, alter ego. The statue that I made represents my fascination of the horror genre, specifically body horror, whether it be in the form of movies, video-games, etc.The statue in reference is named Jeremy, and it was mostly an ironic joke, to name something horrifying something so human. I chose this subject because its not something that a lot of people know about me at first glance (my interest in media with grotesque monsters) and it was interesting to see how it challenged my creative thinking to bring an aspect of myself to life through an in-the-round sculpture. I learned how to bring a 2D design to life through 3D design.

Skin of Many Hues
America Ocano

Location: Yuma

The primary guiding principle expressed by the project is the celebration of diversity. This principle is expressed through the portrayal of vitiligo as a beautiful and unique characteristic rather than a flaw. The painting showcases the intricate patterns and colors created by the depigmented patches, celebrating the diversity of human appearance. By presenting vitiligo in a positive light, the project aims to challenge societal norms and perceptions about beauty and encourage acceptance of differences. Through this project, I discovered the power of art in challenging societal norms and promoting acceptance. I learned that by presenting vitiligo in a positive light, we can shift perceptions and encourage a more inclusive definition of beauty. Additionally, I gained insight into the importance of representation in empowering individuals with marginalized traits or conditions.

My Dance Performances: Creativity & Collaboration in the Multilingual Student Expos
Leslie Danae Magana Farias

Location: San Luis

As a multilingual student who loves to dance, I’ve had the privilege of participating in the 4th Multilingual Student Expo on October 4, 2023, with two ballet performances, and the upcoming 5th Expo on March 20, 2024, with an urban dance.

My performances align closely with two key principles: “Aesthetics & Creative Thinking” and “Collaboration & Inclusion”. When I step onto the stage, whether it’s performing ballet, urban, contemporary, or jazz, I’m not just showcasing my moves. I’m also exploring the realm of imagination and expression. I blend technique with creativity, and bring them to life stories and emotions through my movements. This process helps me deepen my appreciation of the arts, as I learn to express myself in new and innovative ways.

Also, my involvement in events like the Multilingual Student Expo in San Luis campus emphasizes the importance of Collaboration and Inclusion. Although I dance alone, I am still part of a larger team of students who collaborate to make the event a success. Each participant, whether showcasing artwork, music, dance, movie reviews, or writing, tries to create a diverse showcase of multilingual talents. My performance on stage is solo, but behind the scenes, I collaborate with my professor, Dr. Sara Amani, and peers to ensure that each participant has the opportunity to shine. As I prepare for my solo dance performance next Wednesday, I am mindful of the teamwork necessary for this expo, and I am proud to be part of a community that values collaboration and inclusivity in all its forms.

Subspace
Xiomara Cruz Apodaca

Location: Yuma

The phrase Subspace is a place where your mind wanders off to be alone and at peace. I always think of the same images when I want to think of calm ideas such as fields of flowers, personal space, and the rain. This work creates an idea of what I believe a Subspace can be, a peaceful nonexistent place that doesn’t seem all that real. I would watch some of my favorite movies and think of all the themes and colors that made scenes calm with contemplative personal space and this would guide me throughout my process.

This work belongs in the aesthetics and creativity category as I used my individual understanding of beauty and I had used ideas that I haven’t thought of in the past such as showing emotion through colors and distorted images.

Wilderness Leucogranite in the Santa Catalina-Rincon morphic Core Complex
Alexa Soto

Location: Yuma

I participated in an undergraduate research program through The University of Arizona for eight weeks. I worked with a mentor along with a team of postdocs to investigate a metamorphic core complex found in the Catalina-Rincon mountains located in Tucson, Arizona. The investigation required me to use (under mentor supervision) several instruments, such as a mass spectrometer and scanning electron microscope, along with others. This was all in hopes of age-dating the systems that created the metamorphic core complex.

I would say this experience falls into two of the five principles: application and the creation of knowledge. This is because it was an investigation into something that had not been done before, and collaboration and inclusion because this was not a project I could have done on my own it was through the collective effort of a team of people that we were able to complete our investigation. Although we were able to age-date the system that created the metamorphic core complex, we were not able to pinpoint what said system was. This is something I would enjoy looking into if I had the opportunity.

The Sphinx In Court
Francisco Lopez Valdez

Location: San Luis

The project is about a Sphinx testifying in court and having to tell the truth and only the truth. However, being a Sphinx, it can only speak in riddles, causing trouble in court while trying to convey the truth. Meanwhile, the judge and lawyer gaze at the Sphinx as it speaks its troublesome way of expressing the truth.

Heart Full of Love
Eimi Obana

Location: Yuma

The project showcases the process of choreographing a dance piece. Through dance, the performer expresses a heart full of love, embodying the emotions and movements that accompany such a sentiment.

Cherokee Natives
Hannah Garrett

Location: Yuma

I’m going to focus on the history of the Cherokee Indian tribe that my family came from and learn about the trials and tribulations they overcame. I aim to dive deep into the history of the tribe and bring it out into a beautiful drawing/painting.

Renaître
Elizabeth Burgess

Location: San Luis

A glamorized self-portrait; a picture of a redheaded woman gazing into the distance serenely, surrounded by flowers. This project follows the aesthetic principle and is based on Art Nouveau, specifically Alphonse Mucha's paintings. It represents my growth and rebirth as an artist. Through this project, I learned a lot about pastel and atmospheric color, layering and marbling watercolor, and much about the human form and nature. I discovered a personal style that I intend to build upon, referencing the Art Nouveau genre in my future works and developing skill in creating interesting displays of nature the way those artists do.

Whiskers in the Lily's
America Ocano

Location: Yuma

This painting falls under "Aesthetics and Creative Thinking" because it mixes inspiration from Claude Monet's water lily painting with my own style. I added a surprising twist that contrasts with the rest of the painting, which I'm excited to see people react to. It's different from Monet's work, but still pays tribute to it while showing my own unique approach to art. In essence, this painting represents a synthesis of tradition and innovation, blending homage to artistic heritage with a fresh perspective. By infusing the familiar with the unexpected, I strive to create a piece that resonates with viewers on multiple levels, inviting them to see the world through a new lens and fostering a deeper appreciation for the boundless possibilities of creative expression.

Time
Madison Gray

Location: Yuma

I have decided to use the 100-word-Index-Card Challenge to demonstrate the concept of time and feeling as if we are always running out of it. With the white index cards, I used a faded black marker to contrast with the yellow coloring used throughout the rest of the project. Yellow index cards are used to emphasize the weight of time, which is why each iteration of the word time is on one of those cards. The emotional words used are written with coloring, “hopes” being in yellow to match the time cards, and the heavier emotions, such as scared, fear, and afraid, are highlighted with red. While the project addresses the heaviness of time, I used yellow, a color with a positive, happier connotation to contrast the message and add onto the hopeful ending; and red, a color representing fear, anger, and other negative feelings, is used to highlight such. Structure is another strong aspect in my creation, with the title of “Time.” resting above the portion of the 100 words, and with an ellipsis hanging beneath, completing the diamond-like shape of the build. An ellipsis is meant to stress that I ran out of words, or “time” to finish what I wished to say, leaving an open-ended finish. By limiting myself to 100 words, I am able to display the limited time that people tend to fear, myself included. This challenge was taken more literally as I used exactly 100 index cards, not counting the title card and the ending card, since I wanted to use the physical display to show how short time may seem. To aid the message that I am attempting to convey, I used coloring, structure, and word sage to demonstrate my ability of Aesthetic and Creative Thinking. Then from creating a challenge for myself, I was able to further use creative thinking to plan out “Time.” while incorporating smaller, hidden meanings within the project’s execution. Using an ambiguous ending, I allow room for the reader, and myself, to end the paragraph with their own words, inviting them into my creative space. By the end of my draft, I learned that the pressure built around time is a shared experience, and this sense of camaraderie created a newfound connection between others and I. This outcome is, in my personal opinion, the best one to have received, however, I am left curious on how others will be left feeling upon seeing my project, and if they will undergo this collective experience.

Tidal Wave
Stephenie Cisneros

Location: Yuma

My project, “Tidal Wave,” analyzes the technical and personal aspects of Robert Hayden’s simple poem “Those Winter Sundays”, gifting the piece a new perspective on its moral: appreciation. The project primarily utilizes Application and Creation of Knowledge guideline principles as it applies the learning of literary concepts such as poetic devices and symbolization to create a theme that connects the readers to the narrator. This application of poetic devices such as sentence structure, rhyme scheme, and even description draws quotes from the poem to paint a narrative picture of Hayden’s message: appreciating all of life’s simple moments. Through analyzing, one was able to translate Hayden’s literary language to their own, explaining the mysterious poem line by line. The project also reflects Aesthetics and Creative Thinking guideline principles as it clearly shows an appreciation for Hayden’s use of description and sentence structure to transport the reader to a memory. A memory that makes one feel the bitter cold and burning fire of a winter morning. A memory that burns of guilt of not appreciating one’s family until it’s too late.

After submitting this project, I realized how intricate and complex words can be. How they can be read the same way by anyone but have different meanings is truly magic. It’s what makes a reader think, a puzzle of phrases. I learned how the arrangement of words can make an impact. A rock sentence like “What did I know of love’s austere and lonely offices?” in a sea of commas really calls out to the reader, hitting them with that moment of reflection. Identifying these bits of sentence structure, rhyme scheme, and poetic devices are like finding all the pieces that make up the border of the puzzle. Once that’s done, the picture begins to reveal itself bit by bit. Unfortunately, a literary puzzle doesn’t tell you how many pieces are in it, so you never know when it is completed. You don’t get that satisfying click of the last piece or the glittering gleam of the glossy finished image–what you get is more questions, theories, and messages. After completing this project, I am still puzzled by the phrase “fearing the chronic angers of that house.” I want to know if this phrase suggests the father’s strict or violent temper. Despite being a poem of a narrator's guilt of not appreciating his father, this strong phrase may highlight a strict or ‘old fashioned’ way of parenting. “Chronic angers”, a menacing connotation that provides more narrative to the relationship between father and son.

Hayden, Robert. “Those Winter Sundays”. Backpack Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing, edited by X.J Kennedy, Dana Gioia, Dan Stone, Pearson, 2020, pg 414.

Sustainable Urban Development
Jaisveen Kaur

Location: La Paz

My project involves creating a visually compelling presentation on the topic of sustainable urban development. Each slide is meticulously designed to enhance key points and provide additional context to complement my speech delivery. By integrating aesthetic elements and creative thinking, I aim to captivate the audience's attention and facilitate a deeper understanding of the subject matter. The primary guiding principle expressed by my presentation is "Aesthetics & Creative Thinking." I prioritize the visual appeal and creativity of each slide, utilizing color schemes, typography, and imagery to convey information effectively. Through innovative design techniques, I seek to engage the audience and evoke a sense of curiosity and interest in the topic of sustainable urban development.

While "Aesthetics & Creative Thinking" is my primary guiding principle, my presentation also embodies "Application & Creation of Knowledge." Each slide is carefully crafted to communicate relevant information about sustainable urban development, applying knowledge to educate and inspire the audience. Throughout the project, I have discovered the power of visual communication in complementing verbal content and enhancing the overall presentation experience. Despite completing the project, I remain curious about further exploring innovative design techniques and technologies to enhance future presentations. I am interested in delving deeper into the psychology of visual communication and its influence on audience perception and engagement.

Floral
Sheccid Ortiz

Location: Yuma

Floral is my portfolio of several art pieces throughout my experience of high school to college and the art I have made.

What is the real Russian soul? (According to the analysis of Russian literature)
Polina Fofilova

Location: Yuma

As an international student from Russia, I want to share the characteristics of my culture and answer the question of what the real Russian soul is, based on the works of the great Russian classics.

Unforgettable memories
Joanna Gomez

Location: San Luis

I did this project in multicultural English. It is an unforgettable memory that my grandmother and I have. It is an appreciation of my grandmother/an appreciation for our loved ones.

Infectious Growth
Deonides Orozco

Location: Yuma

I will be presenting three of my artworks for the 2024 Student Showcase. These projects that I have chosen each fall into one of the Five Guiding Principles for Learning. My guiding principle for learning is ‘Aesthetics and Creative Thinking’.

The first of my three artworks that I chose is called, “Ate Too Many Pumpkin Seeds”. It is a display of an armless woman in tears while pumpkins are bursting out of her lungs and growing all around her. The second piece is called “Foot Fungus”. “Foot Fungus” displays a pair of feet wearing ballerina slippers. The left foot has mold spread all over it, while the right foot has an abundance of fungi sprouting out in all directions! Lastly, my third piece is a beautiful display of barbed wire growing out of a most delicate and dainty hand. A work I call “While Growing, It’s Tearing”. All of these projects reflect the specified principle that I chose because they show how I used my thinking process throughout, while at the same time being creatively designed to please the eye. My drawings manifest how I am able to piece together what it is that I wish to express and show my audience. The best part of it all is listening to everyone's feedback, opinions and comments. I automatically know that with my style of art that I will get different responses from people, both positive and negative. I appreciate it all! To me, it’s very intriguing how each individual perceives my art in their own way. I love when people are able to make a connection.

Although I stated that my artworks fall into the ‘Aesthetics and Creative Thinking’ guiding principle my drawings also have other learning principle traits. An example of another trait is ‘Ethical Growth and Wellness’. I feel that this ties into my artwork because of how I choose to break barriers of how and what art is “expected” to look like. I know some people may look at my style of work and say it’s ‘disturbing ', ‘disgusting’, ‘gross’, or ‘weird’. I know that the average person looks at my work and is left horrified. I enjoy my horrific creations; they are my favorite! I love to reflect on my progression over time. It is a prime example of how much I have discovered and learned about my works and about myself as an artist.

In conclusion, I hope that I am presented the grand opportunity to be able to showcase my art. My small collection is a unique experience that will encourage you to look beyond the surface and find its true meaning. The possibilities are endless.

Manifesto and how to cope with Imposter Syndrome
Alejandra Luna

Location: San Luis

As a multilingual student in Arizona Western College, I had the opportunity to participate in the 5th Multilingual Student Expo on March 20, 2023. I gave a presentation on types (i.e., perfectionist, expert, natural genius, soloist and super person) and symptoms of Imposter Syndrome and read my “Resilience and Triumph Manifesto.” In my Manifesto, I wrote about my doubts and insecurities, my goals and vision, and strategies for triumphs.

I believe my performance reflects (1) collaboration and inclusion, and (2) application and creation of knowledge because I participated in a group project and shared my thoughts and experiences with others. By mentioning that I have imposter syndrome, and that it is not a weakness or flaw, I felt better and included. Writing my Manifesto helped me understand what I have been through and how I have overcome my problems. It felt like therapy to me, I had never written before about my fears and insecurities. I felt nervous when I spoke in front of an audience of students and teachers, but at the end, I felt relieved. Regarding the application and creation of knowledge, my involvement in the Expo allowed me to apply what I learned from doing research on this global phenomenon.

I will continue to participate in events like the Multilingual Student Expo in San Luis campus because I know the importance of collaboration and inclusion. I will try to get out of my comfort zone and prepare for the future. I will try to be better as a person and always keep helping others. If it wasn’t for my peers, I wouldn't be able to speak in front of many people. My peers and my professor, Dr. Sara Amani, have helped me use the computer and keep learning English which is very important to me. I am proud of participating in the Expo and look forward to promoting a culture of shared learning and growth.

Here’s my Resilience and Triumph Manifesto:

Leaving My Insecurities Behind

Is it easy to leave my insecurities behind? It depends on my attitude towards my future, and the positivity I bring to my life. Even though I am not young anymore, I am eager to learn how to be a more secure and positive person. In my twenties, I thought life would be easy. I was studying at university, and I knew I was going to work with my brother at his dental office as a full-time dentist. However, when I finished school and started working, I realized dental practice was completely different from school practice. The transition exposed my insecurities and shook my self-confidence. I was always comparing myself to my older sister and brother who are also dentists. As a perfectionist, I felt like a failure, compounded by patients doubting my credentials due to my young appearance. In my thirties, I decided to continue studying dentistry with a special field to feel secure about my career, but life threw a curveball when my daughter fell ill. Eventually, I had to quit school after a few months, and I could not handle the stress. My vision of an empowered woman was abandoned, my self-esteem worsened, and my insecurity deepened.

Even though life did not turn out to be as easy as I envisioned, I recognize there is always time to restart. It might take me awhile to start my practice again, but with my family’s help and own self-encouragement, I am confident that I will be able to continue my career. However, pursuing my specialty degree will require studying in another state for at least 2 to 3 years, leaving my family behind. To facilitate this, I am learning English to improve my vocabulary and be able to work in the United States to be closer to home.

To achieve my goal, I acknowledge that I must dedicate time to school, and keep studying to get where I want to be in the future. By seeking support from others, I will not give up on myself so easily. I will shift my mentality to a positive person. I commit to be consistent in my studies, my work and my mental health. Something that I have learned in my life is that being a mother of two teenagers is the most satisfying feeling I would ever feel. I am so proud of the mother I have become, and I would not change a thing about my past. I will continue to become a better person and will never regret what I did. Everything that happened was for a reason and it made me the woman I am now.

The White Redo
Mariely Navarro Armenta

Location: San Luis

The white redo is a painting that I have been working on since last year and I just finished this semester. When I first found this canvas, I saw that it had impasto lines that were going all over it; the lady would come to tell me that this canvas was a mistake by her husband. And that I could just take the other ones but this one she would throw to the trash. I ended up asking if it would be okay for me to keep it so I went on with it and I was able to make cleaner lines that I would later use acrylic to cover them, giving the painting texture. The painting is of a white and light-blue horse with red roses around a green-to-blue acrylic glass background. This art piece is something or a reminder that everything can be art and that if you have you can find a way to work around or with something; it can make something out of nothing.

KOFA Border Radio/Sounds of the Desert
Evelyn Garcia, Paola Rincon, Victoria McBee

Location: Yuma

We are showing students what we do at KAWC/KOFA Border Radio. We are showcasing an audio mixer. KAWC Border Radio interns present a show hosted by AWC college students to discuss the student lifestyle and our love of music.

Osian And Amadeo
Elizabeth Shaya

Location: Yuma

The subjects in this large acrylic painting are from a curated story from the artist’s paracosm. A paracosm is “a detailed imaginary world thought generally to originate in childhood. The creator of a paracosm has a complex and deeply felt relationship with this subjective universe, which may incorporate real-world or imaginary characters and conventions.”

This painting is a symbol of what will happen in the future of these two story characters. The man's name is Amadeo, derived from “Amadeus” a Latin word meaning ‘lover of God’, and the baby is named Osian, a Welsh name meaning “little dear”. Osian, the baby, who was born as a slave along with Amadeo, was the victim of a failed escape attempt by Amadeo later in the storyline. When Amadeo chooses to run away with a youthful Osian, something goes terribly wrong. When he makes a bet with his enslaver to win their freedom, the enslaver deceives them, and unbeknownst to them, they never have a chance to win their freedom. After finding out they had been deceived, Amadeo became enraged with his enslaver, and during his fit of rage, while trying to kill his enslaver, he inadvertently wounds Osian and therefore will make him a cripple for the rest of his life. He will carry the guilt with him for the rest of the foreseeable future, hence his tearful facial expression.

The primary guiding principle in this project is aesthetic and creative thinking. Inspired by the Gothic and Romanesque era of art, specifically the somewhat eerie and mysterious feel, complements the story well. The aesthetic inspiration and feel of the painting was increased by the gold leaf you see so expertly applied in the background of old artworks.

The other guiding principle is the application and creation of knowledge. Creating works of art includes, especially when creating a large project, browsing many reference pictures and examples of different styles of artwork, then creating a couple of thumbnails, sketching it digitally, and if it is to be painted traditionally, using the grid method to transfer it to the canvas. Never having worked with gold leaf before, it was quite easy to manipulate and apply to the painting. Blending paint for different textures was also a new skill, like blending wet paint for a smoother texture and dry brushing for a more textured surface. Learning how to paint clothing with the correct textures and shadows is a skill that will continually be practiced. Creating the baby in the digital form and traditional form was new subject matter, so practicing how to draw different ages and proportions from memory more gracefully will also be practiced.

Wibbly Wobbly
Grace Crittenden

Location: Yuma

Combining a famous painting or photo with another element seemed to be easy at first, but the project proved that imitating the master's is harder than it looks. For this drawing, I took inspiration from Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night. Van Gogh has always been an inspiration to me as an artist and a creative individual. He used his passion and torment to portray the wonders of our world, which is unique, and not easily done. That is the essence of his style and why many are drawn to his art, including me.

The other element I chose to add onto Van Gogh's masterpiece was from a T.V. show "Doctor Who." The show is a British sci-fi series that is near to my heart. I grew up watching it and enjoying its stories about travelling through time and space. There is an episode where the main character goes back in time and visits Vincent Van Gogh. The time traveling spaceship, cleverly disguised as an old-school police phone box is an iconic device in the show.

This graphite drawing expresses Aesthetics & Creative Thinking. I had to get creative when trying to imitate Vincent van Gogh's impressionist style. It was as much of a challenge as it was a learning experience for me. I learned to not be afraid of getting messy with my art. Particularly when it came to adding texture and shading into my drawing. I was getting caught up in trying to draw every little brush stroke that I got behind. I also learned to let go of perfectionism and to have fun because good art should not only inspire others but the artist as well. As artists we often get in our own heads. We get caught up in the minute details and want everything to be "just right" or perfect. But many of the great painters society holds near and dear today were far from perfect. Letting go of perfectionist tendencies is easier said than done. I still struggle with it every time I make a new piece. Nevertheless, because of this project, I have newfound skills and artistic appreciation for Van Gogh's work that I had not experienced before. His brush strokes and sketches hold much emotion and expressiveness. That is something I look forward to learning more techniques in my art to help better express emotion, to make the viewer feel something while looking at my artwork.

My drawing is currently being displayed at the Student Views exhibition at the AWC gallery.

Fleshscapes
Ivan Lopez

Location: Yuma

My project portrays landscapes where flesh covers the earth, its two pieces one that was made with graphite and the other one made using a computer software.

I wanted to create a landscape which looks hellish and alive giving it body parts at times like ribs or mouths in the landscape that are scaled up to be as big as mountains. To create a fleshscape, I needed to implement a lot of what I think describes a hellscape, from rivers made out of stomach acid to making it look like fluids are traversing beneath the landscape.

Planet Based Whole Foods Eating the Environment
Denice Miller

Location: Yuma

Denice Miller's project focuses on planet-based whole foods and their impact on the environment. She has chosen not to participate in the open mic portion. You can view her presentation at the following link: YouTube Video

Role of Neurotensin Receptor-1 Expression in Dopamine Neurons in Feeding, Locomotor and Anxiety Behaviors
Sydney Kathia Arriaga

Location: Yuma

The dopamine (DA) system is essential for motivated feeding and locomotion, but disruption of this system is implicated in the development of obesity and low body weight, namely anorexia nervosa. All DA neurons transiently express the neurotensin receptor-1 (NtsR1) during development, suggesting that this receptor may contribute to the establishment and/or function of the DA system. Thus, we hypothesized that lacking NtsR1 expression in DA neurons impairs the function of the DA system and DA-dependent feeding, locomotor activity, and anxiety behaviors. To test this, we crossed DATCre/+ and NtsR1flox/flox mice to generate mice with intact NtsR1 (Controls - DAT+/+; NtsR1flox/flox) or mice in which NtsR1 was selectively deleted from DA neurons (DATCre/+; NtsR1flox/flox mice). We then assessed mice of each genotype and sex for feeding and physical activity, DA-dependent behaviors and body weight. Feeding and body weight were similar in Control mice and those lacking NtsR1 from DA neurons. However, mice lacking NtsR1 in DA neurons exhibited more locomotor activity than Control mice. This altered locomotor activity was not due to altered stress or anxiety like behaviors, nor differences in dopamine- dependent behaviors, as these were similar between Control and NtsR1-deficient mice. Thus, in contrast to our hypothesis, developmental deletion of NtsR1 deletion from dopamine neurons does not disrupt regulation of body weight or behavior, and is likely not a pathogenetic contributor to disordered body weight.

The Lovers / Sanrio Soup / Duck Cup / Small Vase
Jazmyn Rios

Location: Yuma

I am presenting 4 art pieces, an acrylic painting, a pencil drawing, and two glazed ceramic pieces. My painting is an acrylic on canvas piece titled “The Lovers”. It is a rendition of an original masterwork by the artist Rene Magritte. My pencil drawing is composite piece titled “Sanrio Soup”, that combines the famous Campbells soup can by Andy Warhol and several Japanese Sanrio cartoon characters, commonly known as Hello Kitty and Friends. My first ceramic piece is a simple untitled small vase glazed with a black and vibrant blue finish. My second ceramic piece is a small mug titled “Quack Cup” that was made to resemble a cartoonish duck.

I believe that the best fitting principle expressed by my art projects is Aesthetics and Creative Thinking. The process of creating these art pieces relied heavily on both aesthetics and creative thinking. For example, through use of creative thinking, I designed my concept for my composite drawing “Sanrio Soup” combining two very distinct works of art. Creative thinking also allowed me to create the design for “Quack Cup”, as well as select the glazing colors for both the mug and vase. Speaking of colors, through creative thinking I was also able to form the colors on my acrylic painting by mixing just the 3 primary colors together. Creative thinking was a trial and error process used in the creation of each piece to achieve my desired look. Before each piece was deemed complete I also had to view it through an aesthetic lens. I had to ask myself questions like, “is this piece visually appealing?”, “do the values/colors of the piece balance one another?”, “does the piece look cohesive?”, “is this piece making any sort of statement and if so what is it saying?”, etc. All questions that ask about the aesthetic nature of each individual piece. In my opinion, my art also touches on the analytical reasoning and metacognition principle. Metacognition was used in the preliminary phase of each project to determine exactly what I would be creating and the methods by which it would be created; it was used to put a plan in place for the creation of each piece. Analytical reasoning was used throughout the process of creation in order to address and solve any problems that arose during.

I love the arts. I’ve had a strong passion for creation since childhood. While I have drawn, painted, and worked with ceramics many times throughout my life, partaking in classes that allow me to hone in on these skills has introduced me to the technical aspects I was previously missing out on. Having a knowledgeable instructor to guide me through my courses has allowed me to gain new perspective and approaches to my art work that makes the process of creation more effective. Though I have learned so much in the short semester I have been enrolled in these courses, I am curious to discover the lengths my abilities will reach and I look forward to the knowledge I will gain as I continue onward.

What we learned from Composting and why you should try it too!
Blas Carlos Gonzalez, Lamberto H Rivera

Location: Yuma

Hello, my name is Blas Carlos Gonzalez and with my long-time friend Lamberto Rivera, we tackle the subject of Composting. We decided to discuss the topic of composting from the inspiration of our Environmental Science class. We didn’t think much would come out of our composting project, but we were both astonished by what we got to see from our compost! In all, we developed a better connection and understanding of the subject of composting, and we hope to inspire others to partake in their own composting at home!

Plant-based whole foods
Brenda Valenzuela

Location: Yuma

Last year I did a video project for honors credit talking about the affect of consuming highly processed food and the affect it has on your body; as well as the positive affect your body has when you have a healthy diet. I as well explain the amount of meat is consume and affect it has in the environment.

Womanhood and the feminine identity
Marilyn Garcia

Location: Yuma

Womanhood and the feminine Identity are the depiction of the body of work I created. Divine freedom is the personification of the struggles of womanhood and the challenges that we have faced for many centuries. Divine life is meant to showcase two aspects of womanhood of the past, present and future. My body of work exemplifies aesthetics and creative thinking, through my pieces of art the viewer is invited to dive deep into the meaning of womanhood and leave a lasting impact on each individual. I also believe my piece exemplifies the guiding principle of ethical growth and wellness because my body of work is more than piece of art it’s a statement to empower and bring up the ethical point of womanhood and the feminine identity.

Pudding time!
Luzelena Ramirez

Location: Yuma

The project I have submitted is a simple short animation of a fictional character from Dragon ball named Majin Buu,dedicated to the creator, Akira Toriyama. The brief scene showcases of the character consuming his favorite dessert in a bubbly smoothly way using one of the principles of animation which is anticipation and secondary action. I chose to submit this project because I believe it's principle is based on creative thinking due to the choice of colors and the way it flows with movement. The project was made a while back when I was in STEDY animation, where I learn the ways to use Adobe.

I recall having to face many challenges with this project since it is animated 24 fps and have to animate by twos in order to get the movement of the character just right. Another challenge to mention is to make sure to animate the moving object like the antenna to make it a little bit more realistic of the character's environment. I discovered how to use the onion layer option to see the frame from before and use to draw in between the frames. What I'm still curious even after completing the project is making it longer or add more anticipation/movement to make it more fun.

Uh oh! Serial Dilutions!
Isabela Zavala

Location: Yuma

My project is based on Serial Dilutions and Plate Counts in Microbiology. As part of my honors project, I recorded a three-part video series where I broke down practice questions and explained how to solve them. Based on that, I decided to create an engaging board game based on mathematical aspects of dilution factors, formulas, volumes, and purpose as the player takes on a similar role to a lab scientist. The primary guiding principle expressed in this project is the Application & Creation of Knowledge. This can be seen through applying material learned in class outside of the traditional learning style (lectures, worksheets, etc.), allowing students to practice their skills differently. As a tutor, I’ve made observations about various students and how they can all learn the same concept differently for example some students may need more visuals to understand and connect the dots, and others struggle with foundation definitions and blocks, amongst a plethora of other reasons. By creating a board game, I intended to add the fun and competitive aspect many people experience playing to create a positive experience with the material. Aside from that, I drew inspiration from established boards and online games such as Candyland, Monopoly, and Papa’s Pizzeria Franchise to create a less intimidating space that students might feel when using the concepts alone. The concept videos and the board game allow students to practice and apply serial dilution skills to one of the ways serial dilutions are used and emphasize their importance in and outside the Microbiology field. Additionally, the video and game combined provide multiple ways of understanding the material and applying it due to students' many learning styles, meaning that it is inclusive to students who are excelling in the topic and are just practicing, to others who are struggling with certain aspects of it.

As a tutor, I’ve been exposed to the different ways that students understand concepts and adapt to an individualized “plan” of teaching. However, I tutor writing, which is somewhat different from the topic I covered in this project as it is largely mathematical and naturally, intimidating to many students. I learned the importance of breaking down the question primarily as I struggled with it and had to learn on my own when I was learning the concept earlier than my classmates. For example, identifying what the question was asking for and understanding what information they provide. From my own experience and what I have seen with my peers, this is one of the aspects that becomes an obstacle for them and therefore important. Although the concept is much more mathematical, I think that English skills are also a large part of this, and from that, I learned and interpreted it to be a good thing as it can lessen the fear of students upon seeing numbers. I learned a lot about myself, my learning style, and the different ways students may struggle that we might not have thought of. Recognizing these, I think is a huge step towards providing students help to succeed. After completing this project, I am curious how this can be applied to other courses such as Chemistry. When I first saw the practice problems, I immediately thought of Chemistry and how similar the process was to when I took the course. I believe this same project can also be expanded to other Science courses where the math and comprehension skills go hand in hand. Ambitiously, I hope it can also lessen students' fear of the topic and encourage confidence within themselves.

Pearl
Jatziry Felix

Location: Yuma

My painting is called "Pearl" This is an 18x24 inches acrylic paint. This is my second project for my Painting 101 course. It was a long process of doing a grid and sketching the guides using violet diluted paint and applying the complementary colors under paint to create a vibrant color intensity in the final result. Then started adding the color on top and it was like it was coming to life from a strange combination of colors to more vivid colors. It is a recreation of the famous oil painting "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Johannes Vermee in 1665. I chose this painting because I loved the painting's composition and how light and dark contrast and made it stand out that it has become one of the best-known paintings in the world. I knew that trying to do something as close as possible to one of the most known artists would be hard but I took the challenge. It's always good to try new things and accept challenges to see where they take you. Also, the model of the painting remains unknown which adds more mystery making it a more interesting piece of history in the Dutch Golden Age.

Movie Review: Ratatouille
Jesus Rafael Ochoa

Location: San Luis

This semester, I participated in the 5th Multilingual Student Expo on March 20, 2024. My project was giving a presentation on the review of the movie "Ratatouille" which is closely related to the expo theme which was “Rising Beyond the Imposter Syndrome.” I had the opportunity to share my perspectives and raise awareness about imposter syndrome and its impact on performance and personal well-being. By offering a detailed analysis of how the main character in "Ratatouille" deals with this challenge, I was able to critically and analytically express myself and share some strategies for overcoming this phenomenon. In my analysis, I explained how Remy, the main character, manages to overcome his problems despite the barriers and starts to believe in his abilities. Even though it is an animated movie, it has that hidden message about believing in yourself and that regardless of where you come from, you must believe in yourself.

Something that my project highlights is the importance of collaboration and inclusion in a multicultural community such as ours. This community is made up of individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences, including those who cross the border into the U.S. daily to study. Many of these talented students may face imposter syndrome due to the pressure and expectations associated with studying in a foreign country. Often, they may feel insecure about their worth and ability to succeed in an academic environment different from the one they are accustomed to. For me, it is important to recognize and address these challenges to create an inclusive environment where all community members feel valued and supported. I hope that with my analysis of the movie, more awareness can be raised toward this syndrome.

Below is part of my review that I presented in the expo:

“Let me talk to you about a special little friend named Remy. The story begins by reflecting on how rats are treated by humans when they are discovered living around them. Despite his exceptional skills and sharp sense of taste and smell, Remy often doubts his abilities. He questions whether he deserves to pursue his dream of becoming a chef, especially when faced with challenges or criticism. Remy hides his rat identity because he fears rejection and discrimination from humans. It's through Linguini that he tries to become a chef, but one day he is discovered, causing a huge scandal. But despite facing numerous setbacks and challenges, Remy eventually overcomes his doubts and embraces his passion for cooking. With the support of Linguini and his friends, he learns to believe in himself and his abilities as a chef, regardless of his origin. His journey is a poignant reminder that anyone, regardless of their background or perceived limitations, can overcome these barriers and achieve their goals with determination and self-belief.”

The Art of Storytelling
Sofia Cordova

Location: Yuma

A presentation on the importance of storytelling and the process of creating a well, comprehensive story. I will be going into detail on the different elements that are most important when making a fictional story, and what can be added to further engage your audience. I will also be providing examples of fictional stories in films/animation, and giving my analysis on what makes them well-written stories. With that, I will also include elements that are used to further enhance and give depth to a story, such as in animation for example.

This presentation is for the purpose of helping others recognize storytelling as an art form, and acknowledging the amount of thought, skill, and effort that goes into it. My goal is to have my audience leave with a profound level of admiration for storytellers and writers, and for them to be able to notice the details the next time they watch a good movie, or read a book. Perhaps even be inspired to apply this information to their own storytelling.

A Day in the Life of Pig Bert
Allison Barnes

Location: Yuma

This multimedia drawing depicts my baby cat Pig Bert and I! My education at Arizona Western College has opened my eyes so much to the world and possibilities of art, and furthermore human nature. It is human nature to make art! Learning how cultures throughout history executed their ideas into an artistic form has always been fascinating to me. This piece is an effort to connect my personality and style to artists of the past. In Ancient Egypt the artists used a method called “hierarchy of scale”, simply: depicting the most important subject to be larger than his surrounding!

Here I stand meek below Pig Bert, spoonfeeding him. I think there could be no better way to depict the devotion I have to my little guy. And at the same time, me making this piece has added to the palimpsest of art history, constantly being inspired and continuing to inspire!

Polymer Clay sculptures
Israel Cosio

Location: San Luis

This project falls under the aesthetics and creative thinking of the guiding principles for learning. This principle is expressed in my project in several ways, for starters it is an artistic project and hand made. These sculptures are an expression of love for the characters and their authors who's stories have impacted my life and challenged my way of thinking on different aspects of life.

This project also serves to demonstrate the complex knowledge and high skill that has to go into each and every single sculpture. This is a medium of art that can only be practiced by the high skilled, as it requires a high level of planning, precision, patience, and an accurate and complex knowledge of the anatomy of whatever it is one is sculpting. This form of art is a perfect way to apply one's knowledge in the thing they are sculpting and it is a way to challenge the brain to think outside the box and unlike drawing which is 2D, this form of art forces one to think and use their imagination to picture the sculpture in one's head in 3D. With this project I was able to learn more about human anatomy as humanoid characters are what I sculpt the most and it has also strengthened my problem solving skills as well as my planning skills because when doing sculptures one can't just jump straight into it, everything has to be planned out first so that the sculpture can stand and fully represent the idea one is trying to convey. In the future I would like to move on to other ways of making sculptures such as wood carving, and I would also like to learn how to sculpt other things other than humanoid characters like animals and machines.

Daisy
Kristina Garza

Location: Yuma

I created a painting of my dog Daisy, a Shiba Inu. This painting was done as a complementary piece in which different shades of blue and orange are used. My project best expresses the Guiding Principle of Aesthetics & Creative Thinking. How this painting shows Aesthetics & Creative Thinking is largely due to the application and placement of paint. Daisy is a fun, energetic, and loving dog so to represent those traits in her, I chose to put bright silhouettes of light blue around her to give the piece a light and airy feel. There are also small dots filling the white space of the canvas which gives a childlike and fun aesthetic, similar to how Daisy behaves. Additionally, a few daisy flowers are painted around Daisy, my dog, not only to represent her but to also add to that airy, childlike, spring aesthetic of the piece. I’d also like to mention how daisy was painted in different shades of orange and so are the actual daisy flowers, which ties the two together and relates them to each other. Additionally, Daisy was painted in a sort of blocky way in which the colors aren’t blended but the shadows and highlights stand out from one another, adding onto that childlike and fun nature of Daisy and the art itself.

Another Principle that may be expressed through this painting is Ethical Growth & Wellness. Many people are filled with nostalgia for certain things like movies or old shirts at the thrift store from their era of growing up. Or some long to have those moments and feelings they once had as a child. Painting brought that childlike emotion of the mundane day and enjoying its simplicities. Doing this painting allowed me to discover the essence of our childhood, doing something we love, on a slow mundane day. Taking the time to slow down, and enjoy the day as it is, whether it's exciting or not, but choosing to be content either way, was something I discovered through this painting. It showed me the importance of creativity and slowing down. That we don’t need to chase life but be happy in every little moment of the journey. And it's something that I encourage others to do also. So even if life seems slow, that’s okay! It brought curiosity to think, how much more can we enjoy life if we enjoy it as if we were kids!

Psycho Social Effects of Color
Natalia Corona

Location: Yuma

A presentation on the effects of color on the brain psychologically, socially, and physiologically. This is primarily to do with Analytical Reasoning and Metacognition, as an analysis on the way we use color in our everyday lives subconsciously. This can also be described with Aesthetics and Creative Thinking as it is useful information for design in most artistic mediums. I found out color has a direct effect on us biologically to a surprising level, and would like to learn more through my studies.

The Man in the Fog
David Villanueva

Location: San Luis

The painting is abstract because I wanted anyone to relate to it. It needed to have dept and a contrast in the bright and cool colors. The Man in the Fog is a piece that has an optical illusion which was the view that I was going for given that I use flat media to communicate. I'm trying to communicate the need to talk and be listen. I used to not see my reflection on a mirror when looking at me in it, that is what I'm trying to communicate in the painting.

I use acrylic painting which helped to create a pasted texture to the final product. The background is made so that anyone could see that it's painted like a reflection of someone which was the point of the narrative.

Looking Back Poem
Nashely Vega-Rosales

Location: Yuma

This project is a spoken amateur prose poem that includes initially negative thoughts from years back to my present thoughts of progressing into the positive. The primary Guiding Principle in my project is Aesthetics & Creative Thinking mostly because the prose poem is born from my experiences and way of thinking. Another reason would be because I am looking back at how I used to process my old works of writing and trying to grow from there. Ethical Growth and Wellness may also be a part of the project because my poem looks for ways to keep progressing.

This poem is my way of determining how far I've gone and what I may do in the future with other works.

Art in Learning
Nirvana Duarte

Location: San Luis

Explain how art is important when you are learning something new, from learn how to walk to learning to speak a new language.

English in a new business
Bryan Flores

Location: San Luis

This project will be about how English can help a new business and make everything easier.

Skin of Many Hues
America Ocano

Location: Yuma

The primary guiding principle expressed by the project is the celebration of diversity. This principle is expressed through the portrayal of vitiligo as a beautiful and unique characteristic rather than a flaw. The painting showcases the intricate patterns and colors created by the depigmented patches, celebrating the diversity of human appearance. By presenting vitiligo in a positive light, the project aims to challenge societal norms and perceptions about beauty and encourage acceptance of differences.

Through this project, I discovered the power of art in challenging societal norms and promoting acceptance. I learned that by presenting vitiligo in a positive light, we can shift perceptions and encourage a more inclusive definition of beauty. Additionally, I gained insight into the importance of representation in empowering individuals with marginalized traits or conditions.