Katie's Blog

What is art? Is it time and effort put into form? Is it words and sounds put into colors? Is it the human experience seen through the eyes of artists? Art is having the ability to choose your own answer. Art is everything and anything you want, from presidential portraits to ceramic toilets under studio lighting. That being said, some art movements prove more important and intricate than others. After my recent viewing of “Black Art: In The Absence of Light” I was able to reflect on my privilege as a white American and Recognize my struggles as a woman. It’s no secret that Black Americans were and still are oppressed in our society. It may be surprising to hear how challenging Black artists have it today. The average museum is made up of over 85% men and 15% POC -- 1.5% of the POC are Black individuals. This skewed ratio also applies to art critiques. Now knowing who's ‘in charge’ it’s not hard to believe how many hurdles have to be jumped in order to have your art shown to the pub

  Image Courtesy of Bettmann/CORBIS Steven Schillinger is a Vietnam war veteran. He was born in Hollywood, California where shortly after his time in the military he went to Sonoma State university and earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology. During his time in the military he worked as a Combat Cameraman and saw things the average American doesn’t. Some for better, some for worse. I sat down with him to learn more about his experience and how it still affects him to this day. Did you join or were you drafted? Well, I was there from 1968 to 1969. I was 21 or 22, something like that. I joined but I was going to be drafted anyway. I had already had my draft physical done and I wasn't sure what I was going to do. Then I heard about this program in the Navy where you could get in for two years active and it was basically just pushing planes around an aircraft carrier. They gave the training to the guys lined up for a career, but I ended up doing technical things instead. What was your