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Two 'Art for Change' winners use student artwork to address political issues; CWU awards scholarships
Summary
Central Washington University named two Art for Change scholarship winners — Scarlett Saxaug and Marcela Mendoza — whose works address immigration enforcement and related political themes; jurors described the pieces as technically accomplished and socially engaged.
Central Washington University awarded two Art for Change scholarships during the Superintendent's High School Art Show, recognizing student work that addresses social and political issues.
Greg Schlanger, a CWU professor, said the awards are $2,000 tuition waivers and praised both winners for combining technical skill with a clear social message. "Both of these artists... have created powerful pieces that stand with some of the great contemporary political poster artists," Schlanger said.
Marcela Mendoza, whose piece 'Miss America' received one of the Art for Change awards, said her work intended to provoke reflection on immigration enforcement. "For ICE to stop murdering, detaining, and deporting innocent people who have loved ones and families just as almost all of us do," Mendoza said during her remarks.
Another award winner, Scarlett Saxaug, presented 'Ice Out,' a monochromatic portrait paired with color that Schlanger said "shouts the strong narrative of your artwork." Both students were cited for using their work to create awareness about immigration, enforcement and contemporary political concerns.
CWU described the awards as tuition waivers intended to encourage student artists who link craft and civic engagement. The program awarded two $2,000 scholarships in place of OSPI's standard statewide prize and noted scholarship recipients will receive support at CWU.
No formal responses from government officials to claims raised in student work or remarks were recorded in the program; organizers confined the event to presentations, juror commentary and student statements. The exhibition of recognized works remains on view as organizers thanked jurors, partner organizations and OSPI staff at the program's close.
The CWU Art for Change awards are intended to support students whose work is a catalyst for dialogue; recipients receive tuition-waiver scholarships and recognition at the statewide event.
