In spring 2024, the BIPOC, Access (students with neurodiversity, chronic pain, and/or disability), LGBTQIA+, and QT BIPOC student groups collaborated to create an on-campus art show with the theme of 鈥淟iminality.鈥澛� 天美视频 students and alumni who identify as underrepresented within the context of 天美视频 and/or within their profession had the opportunity to share their artistic and creative work together. The concept of the Underrepresented Voices art gallery began in 2023 when student groups co-sponsored the inaugural show.

Organizers described this year鈥檚 theme: 鈥�鈥楲iminality鈥� could be as broad as anything you, as an underrepresented student, would like to express about yourself. Or, it could be as specific as invisibility, minoritized experiences, subjugated knowledge, or beauty in the margins, the sacred mystery in your culture or identity, etc.鈥� In addition to representing the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, QT BIPOC, and Access student groups, the students who participated were also representative of the three degree programs: Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MACP), Master of Arts in Theology & Culture (MATC), and Master of Divinity (MDiv).聽

As artist Roy Mong commented, the diversity expressed within the 鈥淟iminality鈥� show extended to the wide variety of media and art forms represented as well.聽 Artists displayed works with acrylic paint, oil paint, oil pastels, gold leaf, watercolors, cardboard, wood, and various fabrics. Some of the pieces in the show had been created as final projects for the Winter 2024 course titled 鈥淣arrative, Identity & Asian American Experiences,鈥� taught by Dr. Jermaine Ma.

The 鈥淟iminality鈥� show launched during spring residency, and the artists had the opportunity on Friday afternoon to share their experiences and insights with their classmates, both related to making the pieces as well as sharing them publicly. Students discussed themes such as courage and vulnerability. Artists shared their anxieties about visible imperfections, and wrestling with the felt need to justify or explain their work. They also described how they challenged themselves and learned through the creative process from exploring cultural identities to understanding and practicing new techniques. For example, Sunghee Kim used watercolor painting to display Jo-kak-bo, a traditional Korean patchwork technique, and Ryan Ho shaped bass and walnut wood into Kumiko patterns, a Japanese art style from the 7th century. Roy Mong described how the use of different colors helped him to integrate and appreciate different aspects of himself and his experiences.

Inspiration was another theme. The 2023 gallery had encouraged this year鈥檚 artists: in seeing the work of others they were inspired to share their work as well, to continue inspiration and conversation for future generations of students. The 2024 show also continued the themes of collaboration and engagement: two artists invited interaction and responses through a QR code while other artists invited sensory engagement through touch. Students at the reception expressed their gratitude and wonder to the artists for the depth of expansion and interconnection with the works.

Another theme that emerged was how uniqueness and individuality were expressed within the diversity of the art and media on display in the gallery. 鈥淏y being significantly and uniquely you, you can encourage and uplift others. You are helping further the conversation,鈥� said Roy Mong. As in 2023, belonging emerged as a theme as well. Natalie Ng described feeling 鈥�Not Chinese enough. Not white enough鈥ith liminality, I鈥檝e learned to somehow embrace it and be ok in the uncomfortable spots.鈥� Describing liminality, Mong shared, 鈥淭he edge is where you live.鈥� 鈥淢aking the unseen seen is the whole point of the gallery,鈥� said Ng.