What advice would you give to POC artists considering the same path?

Mya: Go into it with an open mind, but make sure you stick up for yourself when you have to.

Jeah: My advice to any POC artist is to find a way to always have these conversations and connections to other people of color. Even if there is truly only two in the entire major, start those conversations because chances are they will understand. Despite being one of the very few Filipinos in my major, there were still a handful of other POC around me who were open to listening about anything and everything. Even if you don’t become close friends, having these conversations and understanding can go a long way in acknowledging who you are outside of the art community and what you want to say within your art.

Liana: Be resilient, take care of yourself before pleasing others. You are the most important person in your life and you deserve respect and to be heard.

Maria: Don’t be afraid of having difficult conversations. I know it’s a burden that not a lot of other art students have to deal with. Sometimes people around you will say the wrong thing and sometimes you will say the wrong thing. The way to understand people of different backgrounds is to talk, joke, and often let them know when something is not okay. You’d be surprised how many of your peers, BIPOC or not, will be there to back you up when you need them.

Jessica: Don't let the fact of not seeing yourself represented stop you from going down this path if it's what you truly wish to do. Always find people who make you feel less alone in a community that may not want to include you, whether intentionally or unintentionally.