Nearing the Completion Point — The Fresno High Owlet Online

by Jazzy Alvarado

Carrying Stories, the art-based writing project that Ms. Marina Santos started has been ongoing throughout this entire school year, but it is closely ending. Once again, Ms. Santos created the project because she wanted a fun assignment where her students had the liberty to be creative while doing something meaningful. This art project is something that students and the community we live in benefit from emotionally and visually.

The students currently working on this assignment are eager to finish their creative art and finally get to display their beautiful butterflies. With the finality of the project around the corner, time is starting to run out and students are working hard to get their butterflies done.

Students say that carrying stories is one of the hardest projects they have had to complete but also one of the most fun. Precious Navarro said, “Painting was the most fun, and writing the story was definitely the hardest part.” Josselyn Sandoval explained, “The story was the hardest part because you can’t just write about anything, it has to be meaningful and connect to a topic that personally represents you.”

Daniel Ruiz, Precious Navarro, and Joselyn Sandoval focus on minute but significant details in the creation of the actual butterfly and the accompanying story.

A lot of the students enjoyed working on this enterprise and most of them agree that there should be more opportunities to creatively express themselves. Others believe this artwork is a wonderful way to reflect and look back on past experiences. This project is described as creative, fun, difficult, and meaningful. The colors seen on each butterfly are based on a symbolism chart where every individual color has a certain meaning that ties into their story.

Carrying Stories has reached so many audiences and the entire community is excited to see these butterflies complete. Since the projects are due to be completed by the end of next week, art hops and other showcases are quickly approaching. At these shows the artwork is put on display at community locations for people to view and learn about someone’s personal story. While these butterflies are not specifically meant to be sold, there are circumstances where someone wants to purchase a butterfly.

Since Carrying Stories is a small significant part of someone’s personal story with a butterfly that best represents them, buyers usually look for a story that most touches their heart. Before winter break, Sabina Fernandez and her partner were at the Fresno Fair exhibit where they saw student Natalie Galicia's artwork.

After reading Natalie’s story Fernandez’s partner began to cry because she connected to the story in such a personal way. Fernandez then emailed Ms. Santos about purchasing the artwork and after speaking with Natalie, she decided to sell the art for $200 where 100% of the money went to Natalie Galicia. Ms. Marina Santos said, “When the artwork, especially the story, resonates with our community, it reinforces the significance of this project, Carrying Stories.”