Personal Statement: Artist For Social Change

Attending The Mississippi School of Arts is not only an opportunity, but a privilege. Working with a large network of alumni and former students that have similar passions in life, can keep me motivated to do art. Having a community of artist around will help me to stay productive and creative. Surrounding myself with other artist can lead to new ideas, constructive criticism, and a great camaraderie with classmates. I want to be able to attend workshops and lectures, meet with visiting artist, and participate in extracurricular activities that bring me in contact with other artist. By the time I graduate, I hope to have an the opportunity to meet with numerous individuals in the art and design world. These connections can help me lead to art

Rathnasambhava, the Transcendent Buddha of the South and Madonna Enthroned are very similar images that were produced by very different cultures. Both images were produced during the 13th Century. The image of Rathnasambhava, the Transcendent Buddha of the South was produced in Tibet during an interesting period of the country’s religious history. The branch of Tibetan Buddhism is led by a religious and sometimes political leader called the Dalai Lama. It was during the 13th Century during the reign of Kublai Khan, around the time of the production of this painting, that Tibet experienced the first incarnation of the Dalai Lama. One has to wonder if this painting is somehow related to that occurrence. According to

"About 24,000 buildings could be destroyed and 85,000 extensively damaged. More than 27,000 households are likely to be displaced" (Read). Although this will be millions of dollars in work, most people will become unemployed and the Northwest will have a drastic decrease in population.

My passion for social justice and accountably led me to pursue a career that involves law and public policy. I seek to learn how to analyze social problems and contribute meaningful solutions. As a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, I have begun working on this skill and would like to build on it and one day apply it in the real world. One of my current research projects as an undergraduate student at the University of Washington concerns the United States economic policies towards Argentina during the Dirty War and their impact on Latin America today. I want to know why certain policies were put in place and what those in power hoped to get out of the new laws. Another one of my research projects concerns changes to the Tigris River from the late 19th century to today. Through mapping software, I map major changes in the river that are due to economically and politically motivated policies. With this research I highlight changes in major dam projects, canals and irrigation projects as well as groups of people and tribes dislocated by changes to the river.

I am interested in working with the Disciplinary Review Committee, because I am interested in social justice based off actions. I believe avery action should have a fair consequence. I want to spend my time helping others, by finding out the facts and true stories. I think being on the Disciplinary Review Committee would also expand my own knowledge on social justice, and provide me with different experiences and perspectives on discipline, and what it is.

On my twenty-forth birthday, the seventh of May, my mother, the eminent, Whitney West Scooter, almost had a major myocardial infarction. After, I told her that her aspiring Michelangelo had withdrawn, that very day, from her alma mater the illustrious J. C. West Academy of Fine Arts. The only reason I attend the Academy, in the first place was to appease my mother, who believed every artist should hold an art degree. I spend the entire day with my mother and throughout breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I tried to penetrate her armor of resistance so she might understand my reason for leaving the Academy at the conclusion of my junior year. As I spoke, her facial expression took on the characteristics of a rabid dog about to pounce. And I swear

I’ve grown up in a ballet studio. Not literally, of course, but it is where I’ve spent the majority of my childhood. Throughout the years, the arts have followed me despite the different places life has taken me. Whether it be dance, acting, or music, performing has always played a role in my life. My experiences both on and off the stage have been rocky and unpredictable, but I wouldn’t trade this thrilling adventure for the world.

I have started a service club called Irmo Arts Outreach, it was a dream that I was able to turn a reality. The club Means a lot to me because it was inspired by my favorite cousin, who lost the battle to cancer on March 23, 2016, at the age of 19. She liked giving back to the community, she volunteered at her local hospital and library, and she tutored kids who needed help. So I wanted to start a club which helps kids with terminal illnesses, it with would have been called Spark. That was because she sparked a passion in me and I wanted to spark a passion in others. I wanted to teach the kids how to play musical instruments such as keyboard and guitar. The teachers would kids fro my local high school,and the good part is it would be free of

I am also an artist. I started painting when I was five years old. Not only do I enjoy painting, but also sculpting and drawing. My artwork has been featured in the local newspapers, several art competitions and even the Florida State Fair. I have won several awards including monetary ones. You can view some of my art pieces at www.CherisAngels.com under the 'Cheri's Art Portfolio'

The older you get, the busier life becomes. Between classes, homework, organizations, and a social life, it's hard to appreciate what is around us and it gets harder as you get older. We don't always perceive the little things around us. We don't enjoy our surrounding, which is a shame because those little things are beautiful and can have a relaxing quality we may need in our everyday life. There are some interesting things we miss which is why I decided to do this project so people have the chance to notice breathtaking scenes without actively looking for them. Instead, they are right there ready for anyone's viewing and enjoyment.

Working with music takes a certain type of patients. That’s why when I knew this project was present, I had the perfect person in mind because I worked so close with this person once before. So, I decided to gather my resources and get in contact with our family friend Dr. Snodgrass who is the superintendent of the Fort Osage R-1 School District and ask if I could receive her email so I could set up a facetime call with her and get this interview on the road. Her name Is Erica Gregory and she is a high school band teacher at Fort Osage located in Independence Missouri. The reasons I decided to interview her were simple. First, she was my star time teacher which meant she was my study hall teacher. As a freshman coming into high school and being placed in a study hall class

During my time as an undergraduate, I majored in philosophy but intentionally selected courses that would further my knowledge on my range of interests in social justice and law. As I started to engage and learn about theories of intersectionality, social and structural inequalities and constructs, I grew angry at the world we have created for ourselves to live in. I understood that the injustices imposed on people at the dangerous intersections of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race, and ability are frequent and widespread. The oppressive forces that have allowed for the creation of such injustices have not only routinely excluded and silenced the voices of many groups of people, but have destroyed countless lives.

Art is a catalyst of change. It can confront both social and political issues as well as providing people with a creative outlet in which they can express their innermost thoughts and feelings - but what effect can art have on our society as a whole? Artists today have the unique ability to connect with people in a creative, innovative way that they can understand and interpret themselves. With this ability, artists are able to express their own views as well as influencing the views of others. Art is an immense part of our world – so much so that we barely even consider its impact upon us – but just how significant is the work of artists in our modern day society?

“Any drawn line that speaks about identity, dignity, and unity is art,” (Chaz Bojorquey) is a statement that I agree with. Art is perceived differently from all people based on their culture, religion, personal taste, and many other factors. I believe that as long as what has been created is meaningful to either the creator or even to somebody that is viewing it, it should be considered art. Art in the public is a very controversial subject that brings up the important question of, “Should public art be considered as real art,” personally I think that it should be. I believe that the difference between art that is placed in a gallery and art that is visible by a community is the fact that what is acceptable in a gallery

The history of art dates back to ancient times. Artwork can be, and was, found around the world. What makes art interesting is that it can be created in any way, shape or form with any materials. It seems that the artwork can also tell us a lot about the artist. Art seems to be simply, a direct, visual reflection of the artist’s life. Therefore, one can assume that an artist’s life experiences and beliefs directly influence their art. If we look at examples from different periods of art we will be able to see the connection between the artist and the art.