Since April, the Northwest Vista College Library has been home to a stunning art exhibit showcasing different pieces of art that encapsulate the iron-clad spirit of women throughout history. On Sept. 28, the art that lined the upper walls of the library near the cafe, received full attention for the Honoring Women: Art Exhibit and Beverly Evans Writing Awards Ceremony.
NVC Faculty member Natalia Trevino, who was gave the opening remarks along with Sylvia Benetiz, said “I was amazed by the full house attendance from the very warm audience who supported the student participants and winners! It was a joy to see their families and friends beaming with pride, whose visible joy made the event glow as students took to the stage without a microphone and with tremendous courage to share their work with us.
Natalia added, “Each of these young scholars are artists and should be congratulated heavily. I especially want to acknowledge student Isabella Sosa, who had such profoundly confident stage presence and Frances Tejeda who sobbed courageously—and brought many of us to tears– with her paper on women’s reproductive rights.”
Scholarships were awarded to:
- “Strong Currents” by Wolfgang Salazar
- “My Darling” by Kayla Stone
- “Good for Nothing?” by Clarissa Garcia
- “Ebony” by Brandi Loving
- “Looking for Me in the Media” by Isabella Sosa
- Women’s Issues: Women and Reproductive Rights” by Frances Tejada
Beverly Evans
, a long-time employee, who worked in the NVC President’s office, passed away this past March. The program said, “Honoring Beverly Evans, a most beloved NVC community member, means celebrating her spirit of joy and ensuring her respect for learning and love of learning will live on by recognizing the writing achievements of students with awards in her name.
The artwork that lined the walls was lent to the NVC Library from the Gentileschi Aegis Gallery Association and Sylvia Benetiz.
The night also provided poetry from:
- NVC Faculty Diana Bradford, who welcomed the audience into the poetry with the master legend herself, Maya Angelou.
- NVC Faculty Ellie Francis Breivogle, who wowed everyone into silence with her painful, subtle and beautiful Persephone poems.
- Award Winning Poet Laura Van Prooyen, who shook listeners into melancholy by her moving geraniums poem as well as her heartrending and nostalgic family legacy poem, “San Antonio Dogs.”
- Texas Poet Laureate Jan Seale, a very special guest from McAllen, Texas, who allowed the audience to glimpse at the wonder of “ordinary women” who make the world actually work and led everyone into laughter recalling friendship, the trials of women finding the right “makeup,” (great metaphor), and superb example of encouragement to students.