Amidst lively chatter, a quiet story of art, perseverance and racial equity stands in the center of 22 Tappan’s cafeteria: a show highlighting artists of colors’ artwork and even more so, their identities.

The Day of Racial Reform and Solidarity (DoRRS) Art Show took place on Dec. 7 at 12:30 p.m. Not only did it celebrate the featured artists, it also offered a case study into the importance of racial equity in the art world.

Senior Lila Yoon submitted two paintings and one photograph to the art show, each documenting parts of their experience being Asian. Yoon said they sometimes feel guilty when sharing art about their culture, but they still keep their head up.

“At the end of the day, I have to remind myself often that being proud of my identity doesn’t make me obnoxious about it,” Yoon said.

Featured artist and senior Vi Lee said specifically highlighting artists of color helps counteract systemic barriers.

“It’s hard for people of color in any industry to get recognition, especially in art when the art is about cultural things or highlighting people of color,” Lee said.

Other artists of color attributed the unwelcoming environment of the art world to embedded eurocentric standards.

Gallery • 4 Photos

CONTRIBUTED BY LILA YOON

Senior Lila Yoon's artwork was displayed at the Day of Racial Reform and Solidarity (DoRRS) Art Show on Dec. 7.

Junior Tayra Escotto submitted a layered cardboard portrait of Kamala Harris to the art show. She described how whiteness dominates art-related media.

“If you’ve ever seen a tutorial of how to draw lips, eyes, noses, etcetera, they always draw white features,” Escotto said. “It creates an idea in people’s minds that drawing Black features is harder, when in reality there just aren’t enough people drawing Black features.”

With these challenges in mind, artists of color at the high school supplied meaningful artworks to the DoRRS Art Show, hoping to create an equitable environment for students of color in multiple ways.

Lee submitted photographs and collages illustrating the lives of people of color to the art show, including one inspired by a walkout held last year. They said they enjoyed having an opportunity to present their artwork.

“I figured it’s my last chance to share my art [at the high school] and they’re all pieces related to the topic that I like a lot,” Lee said.

Junior Alexandra Oviedo, whose still-life painting of a Día de los Muertos scene hung brightly on the front of the display, said the art show gave her the opportunity to spread the beauty of her culture.

“With my painting, I wanted to add in aspects of my culture to show that death and grief don’t always have to be negative; they can even be a colorful celebration of life,” Oviedo said.

According to Yoon, events like this are critical in building a community of racial equity and awareness.

“In a predominantly white institution, it’s crucial to highlight marginalized communities and voices, and a fantastic way to do that is through art,” Yoon said. “Art is an incredibly emotional subject that brings viewers into the perspective of the artist, which is very important in discussions of race and identity.”