Final Post

   I've taken a lot of art history courses throughout my three years in university but I have never taken one that integrates the study of art/artists with the creation of art itself. I think it's important as an art history major (or any major, really) to understand what goes into the production of the art being studied because it allows us to connect with the art in a different manner. Finding out we were going to have a journal with weekly drawings was a nice surprise! I loved doing the hand drawings because I was able to see my skills progress. As I was working on my hands, I didn't see any progress but when I compared my first and last drawings, the progression was evident.

   When I first signed up for this class, I thought we would be studying a handful of Chicana artists but I really enjoyed learning about almost fifty Chicana artists. Knowing that there are so many artists out there who identify as Chicana is reassuring to me. Often times it feels like the only art that's valued is that of white males but it was wonderful to have this class because I know Chicanas are out there producing art and making a difference.

   This class made me question what kind of art I've been told is "good" and what kind of art I've been told is "Chicana" art. I learned that there is no such thing as a homogenous Chicana style and that my people create all kinds of art. The only unified characteristic between the artist we studied is that most of them identify as Chicana.

   I am so appreciative of this class and so appreciative to have a professor who is an established Chicana artist who brings her own unique experiences to the classroom.