Introduction: Irma Gutierrez-Mejia

Hello everyone,
My name is Irma Gutierrez-Mejia. I am a fourth year majoring in Sociology. I have lived most of my life prior to college in Sylmar California, which is near the San Fernando Valley. I identify as Mexican, American born. Both my parents were born in Mexico and I was their second child, but first to be born in the United States. Things I like to do on my free time are outdoor activities such as hiking, running, and swimming. I like to do more hands on activities. While I do not consider myself creative or artistic, I find art fascinating and love the different stories and meanings behind different art works. I became more culturally and politically engaged while at UCLA and this class sparked that interest with its inclusion of art. Courses at UCLA have allowed me to see the histories between my community and other communities and I felt like this course will take an interesting perspective on those issues.

I recently enrolled to the class because I had not the oppourtunity to study an art all of my undergrad, and ow that I can as a senior I want to see how this class engages in a focus of Chicana artist. I am excited on the dynamic of Chicana artist because I have yet to take a course that focuses on non-male dominant figures. As Venegas discusses in the article, "conditions of producing Chicana Art," it has been hard for Chicana artist to be recognized, and this is a reflection of sexual political constructs in society. I find this aspect important in identifying gender dynamic and the power dynamics in different fields we may not often think about. Furthermore, I am enthusiastic about learning and experimenting with what we will be practicing. I want to take the opportunity to engage in this creative, yet work committing class.