CSU Stanislaus held its Student-Centered Art Showcase in the SC Valley Multi-Use Room on the second floor of the University Student Center, welcoming alumni, the campus community and the public to view artwork created by Stan State students. The event offered Warriors the opportunity to display and sell their work.

Genesis Rodriguez (Sophomore, Business) said she was inspired to attend after seeing the event advertised on the ASI Instagram page. Drawn by her interest in arts, Rodriguez said the painting titled Mother of the Exile stood out to her the most.

“I like it because it shows America for what it is right now. It’s a call of action to what’s going on right now, especially immigration,” Rodriguez said. “I like how they use ‘assimilate’ because that is driven into our brains — to assimilate, to become the social norm — and that’s not how America is. America is based on diversity, and that’s what we should pursue.”

Another attendee, Ellie Rasuli, (Freshman, Liberal Studies) was among the students whose artwork was displayed. She said this was her first time participating in an art competition.

“It’s the first time I’ve been in an actual art competition and I knew there’s a lot of artists at Stan State, so I wanted to come see all the stuff — all the artists and all the people who would come here. There’s so much really pretty art,” Rasuli said.

“I write stories and I like to make symbolic or story pieces,” she said. “The two that I have out are characters, and I try to get their personality and all that stuff into the drawings.”

Regarding one of her works titled Moth, she said, “It was inspired by the wings of a moth. They have eye patterns, and I thought that’d be a really fun subject to do.”

Student Center Board Chair Jelaine Esguerra said the showcase was intentionally open-ended to allow students to submit any form of art, regardless of whether it was created through a class or campus organization.

“Whatever artwork really speaks to them, and whatever creative media they want to do, we welcome all of that,” Esguerra said.

She added that participating in the showcase can benefit students personally as well as artistically.

“There’s a rewarding feeling when your art is possibly purchased or even displayed in the Student Center,” she said.

The event served as a platform to celebrate the diverse backgrounds and talents of Stan State students. Attendees said events like this are important for personal expression and community engagement.

“I think it’s just inspiring to come see all of the different paintings and drawings and different mediums,” Rasuli commented.

Rodriguez agreed.

“It shows what students here at Stan State represent,” she said.

“It’s nice to see a community come together to not only make artwork but support everyone else’s artwork too,” she said. “Every single art piece tells a story. Even without reading the description, you’re able to understand not only the artist, but how they want to communicate and express themselves.”