Our Prism of Dreams is a tribute to dreamers. The show features BIPOC figures painted on a five-sided prism alongside several colorful abstract pieces. These individuals paved the way for other minorities who aspire to follow in their footsteps and inspired us to chase our dreams fearlessly—regardless of the color of our skin or where we come from.

One panel honors Mary Jackson, the groundbreaking NASA engineer, alongside the revolutionary performer and advocate Janelle Monáe, who portrayed Jackson in Hidden Figures. Jackson shattered barriers as NASA's first Black female engineer, paving the way for future generations to reach for the stars—and even the moon.

Another panel depicts Harriet “Moses” Tubman, who rescued and freed hundreds of enslaved people, served as a nurse and spy for the Union, and was the first woman to lead a major military operation in the U.S.

Also featured is Victoria Manalo Draves, who was the first Asian American U.S. Olympic champion, winning gold during a time when many public pools in the country restricted access to “whites only.”

Another panel showcases Coach Herman Boone, the inspiration for the film Remember the Titans, and one of the first coaches in U.S. history to lead an integrated football team. Portrayed by the formidable Denzel Washington, Coach Boone fostered mutual respect and unity, leading his team to an undefeated season in 1971.

The installation also honors Jos&ecaue; Hernández, one of the first Latino astronauts to travel to space and the first migrant farm worker to do so. His journey, portrayed in the inspiring film A Million Miles Away, showcases his relentless pursuit of what once seemed an impossible dream.

The panels are constructed of clear plexiglass, serving as a metaphor for personal transparency, feeling unseen, and the process of inner exploration. The panels are painted with semi-transparent glazes of acrylic paint and gloss medium, allowing for colors to blend and transform as the viewer moves around the prism, symbolizing how dreamers influence and feed off of each other. I realized that being surrounded by other creatives—whether in the art studio, at local open mics, or at art shows—has sparked my creative process and helped to expand and shape my own aspirations as an artist. Similarly, our aspirations change and grow as we journey through life and interact with inspiring individuals around us. This project honors the dreams that have shaped our community and recognizes the progress of minorities in the U.S., emphasizing that race and gender should not be barriers to achieving our aspirations.

Reflecting on my own journey, my path has had many directions—often entailing obstacles, risks, and sacrifices—and I have felt like my different aspirations would tear me apart. As I prepare to graduate, this collection of brilliant and courageous minds—revolutionaries, performers, and athletes—reminds me that anything is possible. Just as a rainbow of colors bursts from a prism, so too do a myriad of opportunities and paths lay before us. With drive and hope, I am choosing to enjoy the journey.

I would like to extend a special thank you to Fung Collaboratives for funding this installation, as well as my advisors Prof. Shaun O'Dell and Prof. Lance Fung, my fabricator Steve Dellicarpini, and my fantastic crew of Studio Assistants (Autumn, Kalyani, Vu, Olli, Neal, Johnny, Ari, Edith, Caesar, Paris, and Mariana). Conceived as an installation for the Art Kiosk, Fung Collaboratives accepted to show the piece last year and will exhibit this piece next month on May 3rd.