![\"Art](\"https:\/\/missionvalleynews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/web-MAIN-2-Prince-3-by-Jonelle-Crowder.jpg\")
<\/a>Today, locally, the month is recognized with special events and performances, film viewings and classroom lessons, and, thanks to Platt College San Diego, an exhibit of student artwork installed at three public libraries: Mission Valley, Spring Valley and Vista, in North County. All of the installations will be up through February.<\/p>\n
The show, titled \u201cKaleidoscope: Designing Unity,\u201d celebrates accomplishments in two ways.<\/p>\n \u201cOne, is to get the students\u2019 work out there,\u201d said exhibit curator and Platt librarian, Nicole Lewis. \u201cThey\u2019re always so proud to show their work, and they get used to producing art. But also, it\u2019s awareness and unity \u2014 everybody uniting together to celebrate Black History Month \u2026 celebrating how far we\u2019ve come from slavery to the civil rights movement.\u201d<\/p>\n With such topics as racism, xenophobia and white nationalism currently prevalent in the news media, it is no surprise that students were eager to have their work in the exhibits.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I announced this show, the diverse hands that were raised to participate were heartwarming to see,\u201d Lewis said. \u201cSometimes the students are less enthusiastic, but this one, they were very enthusiastic. Definitely, they want to let out their voices. It\u2019s also educational. They\u2019re looking up African-American figures and learn a lot about them.\u201d<\/p>\n Featured artist Jonelle Crowder, 19 years old, has two portraits in the show, of Prince and Michael Jackson, favorite artists her father introduced to her. She created the works in Photoshop using a technique called \u201cgeometric portraiture.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to do a different style, seeing how Prince\u2019s music is different than any other person\u2019s. He inspired me. I wanted a unique style for him \u2014 and for the Michael Jackson piece. I wanted to do a different kind of piece, dedicated to both of them.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to her favorite musicians, Crowder is also cognizant of the contributions made by heroes of the civil rights movement.<\/p>\n \u201cAfrican-American History Month, it points at the different triumphs and successes African-Americans have made, to make it how it is today. Today, I get to do things and explore things and be the person I am, without the restrictions of the past. People like<\/p>\n Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, they make me happy to be the person I am today.\u201d<\/p>\n Crowder\u2019s outlook is tempered only a little by current politics.<\/p>\n \u201cI do have a bit of concern \u2014 it\u2019s not a good, positive vibe,\u201d she said. But she thinks the public will appreciate the students\u2019 work and learn from it. \u201cThis art show will give people a lot of feelings about African-American history, a lot of history, important people in our history.\u201d<\/p>\n Artist Gilberto Gonzalez, 24, includes contemporary history in his contribution to the show, celebrating the strong African-American woman in his piece \u201cDivine Strength!\u201d The portrait quotes first lady Michelle Obama\u2019s speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.<\/p>\n \u201cMichelle Obama, herself, is strength.\u201d Gonzalez explained. \u201cEverything she does is all about empowerment and improving yourself. I would have voted for her, 100 percent, and it\u2019s not just because she\u2019s a woman, but because of what she accomplished next to President Obama. \u2026 I believe it\u2019s important to represent not only the past heroes, but also our present. \u2026 And her backstory, from having nothing to accomplishing all this, it\u2019s inspiring for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Like Crowder, Gonzalez expects the show to capture people\u2019s hearts and hopes. \u201cIf they have a dream, they can say \u2018I believe in myself, I can do this, too, whether it\u2019s art or business. These people have done it before me, so it\u2019s my time now.\u2019 Some of us come here with a dream, to give our families a better opportunity. So I believe the art will bring more people a better understanding of different types of people.\u201d<\/p>\n The public can see these and other students\u2019 creations during regular library hours.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n