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. These departments are portrayed 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, reflecting on the need for rest in the pursuit of justice. With shimmering waters, grounded bears, and resilient blackbirds, the painting offers a message of hope and self-care amid activism.

While Maizy had a number of 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 to themselves. Meet the other featured artists:

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 LEP Reporting Coordinator and explores her artistic path through pastel and acrylic works. This show includes:

Magnolia – Soft pastel on textured paper inspired by local magnolia trees.

Pansy – A celebration of vibrant colors that brighten rainy spring days.

Tulip – Flower of Spring – A tribute to her favorite flower’s beauty and fragility.

Little Friends – A fanciful painted wood piece depicting a trio of ducks.

Cindy Xie, Faculty

In remembrance of a loved one born in the Year of the Snake, Cindy’s painting, “Spring Year of Snake,” is a tribute to strength, wisdom, and enduring love.

Michael Choi, Staff

Michael creates mixed-media pendants using found objects, blending metalwork, gemstones, and symbolism to explore the themes of healing and transformation. His pieces are:

“Cyclops Sprout” – A playful start to his wire-wrap journey.

“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.

“Bird of No Feathers”  – A quail skull and tiger’s eye pendant inspired by personal symbolism.

“The Labradorian” – Labradorite and wirework expressing spiritual awakening.

Crystal Goodwin, Community Member

Crystal seeks to highlight cultural and geographic diversity through artistic depictions of rural and urban landscapes. Her painting, “A Secondary Visit to the Park,” illustrates how a spring walk in a blooming park evokes a sense of connection and renewal.

James M. Lilly, Community Member

James is a Seattle-born artist known for intricate wall sculptures reflecting Salish Sea ecology and environmental themes. His creation, “Cause and Effect,” is a Trompe l’oeil wall piece using painted and sculpted sea life to explore environmental and political issues.

Ali Cohen, Instruction

Ali’s painting/collage, “It’s Been a Long Time Coming,” is a powerful narrative that tells the story of the Houston family’s struggle against racial injustice, land loss, and advocacy for eminent domain reform.

Chi Kiet Luu, Student

“RTC on Spring” is a student’s reflection on RTC in the springtime.

Camille Rendal, Faculty

Her Watercolor and landscape pieces reflect nature and memory, including “Journey to the Past” and “Clouds over New Mexico.”