Students share their culture, talents during opening of NAU Ethnic Studies Program’s ‘Wings of Change: Our Narratives Reclaimed’ art exhibit

FLAGSTAFF — From an enchanting scene featuring a colorful butterfly, nopales, roses and seeds soaring to the heavens, to an image stating “Education is NOT a Crime — Making Our Ancestors Proud,” students from throughout the region displayed their heartfelt images in an exhibit of more than 30 murals and mix-media projects during the annual “Wings of Change: Our Narratives Reclaimed” exhibit presented by the NAU Ethnic Studies Program.

The exhibit opened March 26 at NAU’s School of Behavioral Science West Building, Suite 100 (Building 70) in the south campus.

Featuring the artwork by NAU Ethnic Studies 160 and 100 classes, Ponderosa High School, Leupp Public Schools and T-schools, the exhibit touches on a variety of cultures including African-America, Asian, European, Jewish, Mexican-American/Hispanic, Muslim and Native American indigenous peoples.

Themes feature images ranging from United Farm Workers of America protest murals, to those touching on Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead and a Hopi Kachina Soyoko.

Many of the images feature QR codes that provide links to more information including photos of the artists and videos.

Dr. Pedro A. Cuevas, assistant teaching professor at the Dept. of Ethnic Studies at Northern Arizona University, previewed the exhibit on March 21 during his talk on reclaiming our cultural narrative during at the 7th annual Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council’s (CHAC) César E. Chávez Community Breakfast.

On Monday, he was at the exhibit, guiding visitors through halls where the images are displayed, answering questions and taking some selfies with the student artists.

The exhibit will be on display through April 28. Limited free parking is available in front of the building for those with a handicap placard, with short-term parking options available by using the Parking Kiosks located near Riordan Mansion and other locations on campus (Campus Parking Map).