colored pencil and graphite; 12×15″

“As a product of an interracial marriage, my art’s purpose is to represent interracial rights. This work is inspired by the idea that social acceptance of interracial marriage and children has improved in in America today. Previously interracial couples were widely unaccepted and shunned from society as well as any children as a result of the union. Why should color dictates love or the ability to marry who one wants? My drawing wants to show peace, freedom, and justice among interracial unions. The ribbon represents a fragile union between the three of us – representing my family in particular. I used skin tone blending in the gender symbols representing my mother, father and myself.”

WINTON WOODS HS BIO: Winton Woods City Schools partnered with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in its ‘Gifted and Talented Introduction to Art’ for ninth grade students to focus on projects upon the theme of “Freedom.” Under the guidance of art teacher Megan Smarda, students explored “what freedom meant to them.” They researched, investigated, thought in-depth about the question and created artistic solutions to their thoughts. The project became personal for the students and sparked great passion in them.