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Artwork in Multicultural Student Services
Subtitle
Your Home Away From Home
Intro
Thanks for visiting the Multicultural Student Services' (MSS) Artwork mini tour. We hope you enjoy the mini tour, learn more about the art pieces in MSS, and will be inspired to visit our space in Centennial Hall, Room 1106.
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Gateways
By Rosalia Torres-Weiner, Red Calaca Studio.
Gateways was exhibited at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum in Washington DC from December 2017 to January 2018. This piece by Ms. Torres-Weiner of Red Calaca Studio explores the changing demographics of the urban U.S. through the experiences of Latino (im)migrants in four important but less-recognized cities. The project is based in the DC metro area and comparatively examines: Baltimore, MD; Charlotte, NC; and Raleigh-Durham, NC.
Ms. Torres-Weiner has graciously allowed Multicultural Student Services (MSS) to showcase her work on one of our walls in the MSS office. Interested in more of Ms. Torres-Weiner artwork? Visit Red Calaca Studio. https://redcalacastudio.com/.
Gateways was exhibited at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum in Washington DC from December 2017 to January 2018. This piece by Ms. Torres-Weiner of Red Calaca Studio explores the changing demographics of the urban U.S. through the experiences of Latino (im)migrants in four important but less-recognized cities. The project is based in the DC metro area and comparatively examines: Baltimore, MD; Charlotte, NC; and Raleigh-Durham, NC.
Ms. Torres-Weiner has graciously allowed Multicultural Student Services (MSS) to showcase her work on one of our walls in the MSS office. Interested in more of Ms. Torres-Weiner artwork? Visit Red Calaca Studio. https://redcalacastudio.com/.
Fall in Liberation
By Shaider Vue
This piece draws inspiration from the Hmong "Xauv" (also known as "Spirit Lock") necklace, reminding the Hmong people of their tumultuous history. Originally made of silver to weigh the soul to the body. Today, it's proudly worn as an accessory with traditional Hmong clothing, symbolizing their freedom and cultural heritage.
Shiader Vue is a fashion design graduate with a deep passion for the arts and beauty. She has journeyed through the world of fashion, showcasing her talents in several fashion shows over the years. Currently self-employed, she's exploring her diverse interests.
Shiader's fascination with Macrame began as a therapeutic hobby, evolving into a self-taught skill. Inspired by the Hmong culture, she crafts intricate Macrame pieces that have caught the interest and demand of others. Her true joy lies in creating art with her hands and sharing it with others. Beyond Macrame, Shiader excels in technical design, sewing, illustration, sourcing, and crafting technical packets.
Her ultimate aspiration is to use her art as a means of self-expression and connection with people who resonate with her creative journey.
This piece draws inspiration from the Hmong "Xauv" (also known as "Spirit Lock") necklace, reminding the Hmong people of their tumultuous history. Originally made of silver to weigh the soul to the body. Today, it's proudly worn as an accessory with traditional Hmong clothing, symbolizing their freedom and cultural heritage.
Shiader Vue is a fashion design graduate with a deep passion for the arts and beauty. She has journeyed through the world of fashion, showcasing her talents in several fashion shows over the years. Currently self-employed, she's exploring her diverse interests.
Shiader's fascination with Macrame began as a therapeutic hobby, evolving into a self-taught skill. Inspired by the Hmong culture, she crafts intricate Macrame pieces that have caught the interest and demand of others. Her true joy lies in creating art with her hands and sharing it with others. Beyond Macrame, Shiader excels in technical design, sewing, illustration, sourcing, and crafting technical packets.
Her ultimate aspiration is to use her art as a means of self-expression and connection with people who resonate with her creative journey.
Oil Painting
This oil painting of an African child was gifted to Multicultural Student Services by Nou Vue, a UW-Eau Claire alumni.
Rooted in Connection
By Luecy Xiong and Olivia Bishop
This mural was painted at the end of Spring 2025 term by two student artists, Luecy Xiong and Olivia Bishop. The tree represents the many connections our students make on campus and in Multicultural Student Services.
Luecy Xiong is a Hmong American born and raised in the heart of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. At the time of creating this mural she was a BFA Illustration major. Luecy has a passion for creativity and imaginative storytelling. Her creative work mainly depicts themes surrounding cultural identity, childhood memories, and mental health.
Olivia Villarreal Bishop is a Third Culture Kid with Mexican heritage, born in Racine, Wisconsin. At the time of creating this mural they were a student of the Art and Design Department. Their creative practice is centered in multimedia artworks that explore, utilizes, and develops their personal skills, social justice, and artistry.
This mural was painted at the end of Spring 2025 term by two student artists, Luecy Xiong and Olivia Bishop. The tree represents the many connections our students make on campus and in Multicultural Student Services.
Luecy Xiong is a Hmong American born and raised in the heart of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. At the time of creating this mural she was a BFA Illustration major. Luecy has a passion for creativity and imaginative storytelling. Her creative work mainly depicts themes surrounding cultural identity, childhood memories, and mental health.
Olivia Villarreal Bishop is a Third Culture Kid with Mexican heritage, born in Racine, Wisconsin. At the time of creating this mural they were a student of the Art and Design Department. Their creative practice is centered in multimedia artworks that explore, utilizes, and develops their personal skills, social justice, and artistry.
New Day
Made by Sarah Agaton Howes.
Weaving is an important part of Ojibwe culture, with beautiful graphic designs showing up in fingerweaving, loom beadwork, and cedar mats. Artist Sarah Agaton Howes (Anishinaabe/Ojibwe) was inspired by the designs and colors of her people’s historic weaving to create our New Day Wool Blanket. In subtle blues and warm creams, Sarah has brought forward the Native practice of making the everyday beautiful in this wool blanket. “We have always loved to adorn our lives with the practical and beautiful,” shares Sarah. “This blanket elevates a practical item—a blanket—with an elegant design.
Sarah Agaton Howes, is an Anishinaabe-Ojibwe artist, teacher, and community organizer from the Fond du Lac Reservation in Minnesota. Widely known for her handmade regalia and moccasins featuring Ojibwe floral designs, she owns and operates her own business, Heart Berry, to share contemporary Ojibwe art. Agaton Howes works to build a strong community by teaching about cultural art, such as moccasins and beadwork, and creating tools like books and tutorials for Makers.
Weaving is an important part of Ojibwe culture, with beautiful graphic designs showing up in fingerweaving, loom beadwork, and cedar mats. Artist Sarah Agaton Howes (Anishinaabe/Ojibwe) was inspired by the designs and colors of her people’s historic weaving to create our New Day Wool Blanket. In subtle blues and warm creams, Sarah has brought forward the Native practice of making the everyday beautiful in this wool blanket. “We have always loved to adorn our lives with the practical and beautiful,” shares Sarah. “This blanket elevates a practical item—a blanket—with an elegant design.
Sarah Agaton Howes, is an Anishinaabe-Ojibwe artist, teacher, and community organizer from the Fond du Lac Reservation in Minnesota. Widely known for her handmade regalia and moccasins featuring Ojibwe floral designs, she owns and operates her own business, Heart Berry, to share contemporary Ojibwe art. Agaton Howes works to build a strong community by teaching about cultural art, such as moccasins and beadwork, and creating tools like books and tutorials for Makers.
1/10
Harvest Pinwheel Basket
This Harvest Pinwheel Basket is part of a set of 5 baskets crafted from raffia grass by women artisans in rural Uganda. Most artisan groups with SERRV focus on providing minimum wage and supporting families and communities as a nonprofit organization.
2/10
Butterfly Basket
This Butterfly basket is part of a set of 5 baskets crafted from raffia grass by women artisans in rural Uganda. Most artisan groups with SERRV focus on providing minimum wage and supporting families and communities as a nonprofit organization.
3/10
Harvest Pinwheel Basket
This harvest pinwheel basket is part of a set of 5 baskets crafted from raffia grass by women artisans in rural Uganda. Most artisan groups with SERRV focus on providing minimum wage and supporting families and communities as a nonprofit organization.
4/10
Kampala Star Basket
This Kampala star basket is part of a set of 5 baskets crafted from raffia grass by women artisans in rural Uganda. Most artisan groups with SERRV focus on providing minimum wage and supporting families and communities as a nonprofit organization.
5/10
Ugandan Black Swirl Basket
This black swirl basket is part of a set of 5 baskets crafted from raffia grass by women artisans in rural Uganda. Most artisan groups with SERRV focus on providing minimum wage and supporting families and communities as a nonprofit organization.
6/10
Ugandan Raffia Spiral Table Basket
Purchased from Ten Thousand Villages, this handmade Ugandan Raffia spiral table basket is a versatile household basket-can be used to hold bread, keys, mail, lip balms, etc. This piece is one of many that Uganda crafts produce. Uganda Craft is an artisan group that provides single mothers widowed by the HIV/Aids epidemic the opportunity to earn an income at home by making these baskets.
7/10
Ugandan Sun Swirl Basket
Purchased from Ten Thousand Villages, this basket is handcrafted in Uganda. Made with banana stalk and raffia grass, it is native to the village of Nsamya. The artist of this basket is Namirembe Milly, a 34-year-old artist, who collects these resources and then weaves baskets. Opportunities given by Ten thousand Villages, help artists like Milly to provide for themselves and their families.
8/10
Casserole Dish Kaisa Basket
Purchased from Ten Thousand Villages, this basket was handcrafted in Bangladesh. The materials used for this basket are natural and dyed Kaisa grass in colors of teal green and orange. The wrapping holding the basket in a rectangular shape is jute twine. The artist that helped make this basket is supported by Dhaka Handicrafts, which helps provide fair ages to rural Bangladesh.
9/10
Vab, flat basket
This basket is found throughout Asia with various names. It's used for various daily tasks, but mostly utilized to sun dry food items. This particular one was hand crafted by a Hmong artisan, and purchased at Hmong Village in St. Paul, MN.
10/10
Hmong Kawm Basket
This basket can be found in various iterations and style, found through out Asia. This particular basket was made by a Hmong artisan, and was purchased from Hmong Village in St. Paul, MN. This particular basket is used to carry items on the back.
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