Mountains and trees surround a crystal-clear blue lake, bathed in warm, yellow, orange, and pink tones. Maizy Bear's painting, "The Forest of Community," depicts this beautiful Northwest scene, but every brushstroke has a deeper meaning.
"This painting speaks to the power of community, the way we come together, hold each other up, and create a shared space where we can all grow and thrive," Maizy said. "It is a constant reminder that we are stronger when we stand together, grounded in the support of one another."
That painting and four others in her collection are on display in the Culinaire Room as part of the RTC Art Show, "Echo of Spring: Voices Rising, Hearts Uniting." Maizy was among the dozen diverse artisans selected to display their work. The collective work celebrates renewal, resilience, and community connection. The RTC Art Committee, spearheaded by Yun Moh, Faculty Curriculum Development Consultant, drew applications from faculty, staff, and community members.
After the art show, Maizy's collection, "RTC - Walk with Bear, Salmon, and Forest," will find permanent homes at the college. They are not just works of art – they are gifts given in the spirit of the Potlatch Ceremony, an Indigenous tradition of honoring, gifting, and sharing.
The paintings will be displayed in the President's Office, the new Unity Center, and the Student Services offices.
"The art serves as a reflection of the collective strength and unity within the RTC community," Maizy said. "Each painting embodies themes of resilience, connection, and the ongoing work of dismantling oppression. By gifting these pieces, I aim to honor the support I've received and to contribute to the college's continued journey toward healing and justice."
Art with Intention and Meaning
A Choctaw, Cherokee, and Blackfeet educator, Maizy joined RTC as a King County Promise specialist and is now a part-time instructor in College and Career Pathways. She honors her Indigenous ancestors through her work, centering BIPOC and intersecting identities.
"The Forest of Community," which will be gifted to the Student Success Center, symbolizes the unity and support Maizy found at RTC. Each tree represents parts of the college community – students, staff, and faculty – while a bear enters the scene as a protector and symbol of belonging. Above, a raven soars, signifying transformation and hope.
"The Gatekeepers: A Journey Through the Forest" honors Enrollment Services, Financial Aid, and the Veterans Center for guiding students through the complexities of higher education. The piece portrays them as protectors, helping students navigate the "forest" of academic and life challenges.
"Unity in Diversity: Dismantling Injustice Together" is a vibrant tribute to RTC's new Unity Center. With layered symbolism—from chakra colors to rams, antelope, and rainbows—it honors the intersectionality of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities, calling for collective action and shared healing.
"Not Alone in the Light, gifted to President Yoshiko Harden, serves as a reminder that leadership thrives when rooted in collective strength. A conifer tree stands steady under a circling raven, surrounded by nature's reflection and light.
"Blackbirds' New Song: A Journey of Reflection, Resilience, and Rest" is a personal piece by her that reflects on the need for rest in the pursuit of justice. With shimmering waters, bears leading their cubs, and resilient blackbirds, the painting offers her message of hope and self-care amid activism.
While Maizy had several pieces shown, she was just one of the artists whose work was selected for display. The art show gives RTC employees a chance to show a different side of themselves. Meet some of the other featured artists and their varied and creative work:
Helen Zheng, Instruction
Helen creates art with humor and spontaneity, blending absurdity with insight, often inspired by late-night thoughts and a caffeine boost.
Whispers of Spring is a pastel series that captures nature's quiet renewal: blooming cherry blossoms, moonlight, and the harmony of light and shadow.
Yuliya Lebedeva, Staff
Yuliya works as RTC's Limited English Proficiency Reporting Coordinator and explores her artistic path through pastel and acrylic works. Along with several of her pastels, the show includes "Little Friends," a whimsical trio of friendly animals painted in acrylic on wood.
Michael Choi, Staff
Michael, the college's graphic designer, creates mixed-media pendants using found objects. He blends metalwork, gemstones, and symbolism to explore themes of healing and transformation. Among his pieces are:
"Up in Arms" – Healing through transformation, featuring an octopus arm and citrine.
"A Fool's Fire Starter" – Pyrite cube as a symbol of clarity and mental health.
"The Labradorian" – Labradorite and wirework expressing spiritual awakening.
