Red finger prints in the pattern of a keffiyeh represent the blood of the Palestinian martyrs who have been murdered by Israel, while the text tells the story of the most courageous students this campus has ever known. The Irvine 11 embody the UCI values of protecting others no matter the personal cost. They are the forefathers of the current encampment and struggle. It is healing for the soul to standup on the right side of history. Our mental health is held captive by forces that seek to exploit us and force us to fight against one another. Only through solidarity is there healing. “If you stick a knife in my back 9 inches and pull it out 6 inches, there’s no progress. If you pull it all the way out, that’s not progress. The progress is healing the wound that the blow made.. And they won’t even admit the knife is there.” Malcolm X

Me: How would you (Rose) define Courage? Courageous Bloom: As a rose, I would define courage as the ability to bloom and thrive, even in the face of adversity. Courage is the strength to push through the soil and reach for the sunlight, even when I am surrounded by thorns and weeds. It is the determination to unfurl my petals and reveal my inner beauty, even when the world may seem harsh and unforgiving. Courage is the ability to withstand the elements and remain steadfast in my growth, even when the rain may beat down upon me. It is the resilience to continue to radiate my fragrance and charm, even when I may be plucked or trampled. Courage is the knowledge that my beauty and strength are part of something greater, and that I contribute to the tapestry of life in my own unique way. With courage, I can grow and flourish, bringing joy and inspiration to those around me.

I wrote this when I was depressed, searching for meaning. I felt trapped in unhealthy thought patterns after facing trauma and abuse, like I was sinking into myself, detached and alone. Sometimes people can see you need support, and sometimes you mask your pain in a way that no one notices how much you’re burning inside, screaming. But I’ve found it takes courage to acknowledge you need help. And it takes courage to continue surviving through the pain. Once I got support through therapy and connecting with others (and myself), my chest didn’t feel as heavy. Breathing was easier. I was no longer drowning. It can be difficult to ask for help, especially as someone with many intersecting marginalized identities. Once I realized I didn’t have to carry my trauma with me each day, I started to heal. Through the process of healing, I felt seen. I felt joyful and hopeful. I felt empowered and resilient. I realized I didn’t have to simply survive, but could thrive as I envisioned a new life for myself. To me, reading this poem is a painful yet important reminder that we have the power to decide what we want in life, if we only have the courage to move forward.

Stepping out of your comfort zone is often daunting and stress inducing. Yet, like the risky punchy energy of rock culture, a leap of faith can change your world. From seizing fresh opportunities to greeting your neighbor, a positive outlook can keep life exciting and fun.

Reaching out into the sky, no longer shall you wish upon a star. Instead, you take your destiny into your own hands as the universe agrees with shimmering stars that smile back. Your dreams are within your reach.

It is an abstract commentary on the interwoven struggles of self-image issues and how they tie to self-harm for the artist. Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable while owning up to our body’s “imperfections” (reflected by the scratches on the canvas) shows the courage to show our bodies raw, which reflects self-love. While people might not find it pretty, it takes courage to be comfortable in your own skin (reflected by the beige/flesh color used).

A self-reflection on self-harm that the artist went through as a teenager. These are signs of strength, not weakness Signs that, with time, anything can heal And we all deal with pain in different ways Each of these marks says a story A fight won while being lost A map of resilience

This piece is a free space that showcases the collaboration of multiple departments, including the International Center, Counseling Center, and Esports Arena.

Attendees at International Coffee Hour contributed to the community artwork with the theme of resilience and courage. We based the theme on a Chinese proverb that roughly translates to: “A big tree may fall in the strong winds but grass doesn’t as it is deeply rooted to the ground.”

This collective work of art was created by students enrolled in the Sierra class, living in Sierra hall in Mesa Court. We created this piece in small groups during one of our classes, titled “Culture Through Art”. Each group came up with a theme related to diversity/culture for their piece, and each member contributed to an individual canvas. Together, all these canvases make up a glimpse of Sierra. Sierra hall is a diversity-themed hall, where we celebrate diverse identities, viewpoints and practice inclusivity. In Sierra classes, we explore topics about community, identity, and social justice. This class encourages us to be courageous in sharing our thoughts, emotions, and ideas with each other, knowing that our class and hallmates may not share these ideas or thoughts. It takes courage and patience to share with the goal of listening and understanding, not trying to change another’s perspective. The piece also shows that courage doesn’t always look the same. We can each have our own definition and ways to be courageous. We would like to show that diversity.

Courage, to me, is taking the step to ask for help. This painting reflects that, with the figure reaching out to a star. She is alone in the water, and everything is dark around her, but she is reaching for the light of the star.

At night in the open field, a single yellow flower shaped like a star shines bright, leading to new star flowers to bloom nearby under a starry sky. The sole star flower shown on the middle left symbolizes how it takes courage to be the light in the lonely dark. The courage to be different/go outside the comfort zone can bring new opportunities, represented by the many yellow flowers shown on the right.

The piece shows how a person can reach what their goals and dreams are no matter what the struggles they may face. When they believe in their small inner voice that supports them, they can do more than they are capable of. They just need courage.

My painting captures the profound theme of healing through the transformative power of pain. The central focus is on a figure surrounded by a swirling storm of vivid, chaotic colors symbolizing emotional turmoil and inner struggles. Overall, my painting invites viewers to contemplate the profound idea that healing is not the absence of pain but the courageous journey of embracing and transforming it into strength.