BY: MK PALARIS
Within the cultural hotspot of Southern California, a myriad of Black artists surface with stories of resilience and innovation through mediums such as visual art, melody and movement. These diverse artists contribute to a mosaic of cultural richness, leaving a profound mark on the community. So in honor of Black History month, this article aims to highlight the achievements of local Black artists.
Among these many artists is La Sierra University senior Sarai Ponkratjeva, a graphic design major, whose projects focus on visual arts, such as photography. She takes great inspiration from her grandmother, who navigated through the challenges of growing up in the Jim Crow era. As a result, her artistic endeavors center on themes of Black beauty, femininity and nature. “My grandma, growing up, her skin tone and her features weren't conventionally attractive and not represented in the media,” Ponkratjeva said. “She has always made sure to really talk about the importance of lifting other Black women up, because of her past experiences.”
Ponkratjeva’s photography magazine, titled “What is it that you love?,” visually explores individuals’ cherished aspects of life. One of her photoshoots, titled “Strength,” pays homage to the 1960s cultural movement, Black is Beautiful, which aimed to uplift Black features and celebrate the beauty and diversity of the Black community. “My friend Deborah wore her hair out in an afro and I photographed her. Through that, she represented strength and beauty, especially as a Black woman,” Ponkratjeva said. ”I just wanted to emphasize her hair and her features.”
Using various individuals like her siblings and friends as her muse, Ponkratjeva said that her photoshoots aim to highlight the diversity at the La Sierra University campus. She underlines the importance of diversity in artistic media, saying that it can boost confidence in one's ethnic background. “Just like being able to see yourself and see beautiful art, it makes you feel good about yourself honestly,” she said. “At least for me personally, seeing other people that look like me, it doesn't make me want to change. It makes me embrace myself more.”
While passionate about her craft, Ponkratjeva faces hurdles in the art scene, particularly due to the level of vulnerability needed for the creative process. “An insecurity I have is that other people wouldn't be interested in [my art] because of the subject matter; because it's definitely something that's personal, I worry how other people are going to perceive it,” she said. But despite these challenges, she has set goals to put herself out there and has high hopes for the future of Black artists.
“I’m kind of optimistic. I feel like people are being really receptive of Black artists and the art they create, at least in the spaces I’ve been in,” Ponkratjeva said. “I feel like more people are really appreciating it and highlighting Black artists.”
Shifting to the music scene, sophomore Calla Morgan, a music major with an emphasis in studio jazz guitar, adds her own melody to the mix of underground Black artists. Morgan, a singer-songwriter and guitarist, composes and produces her music. She uses Spotify to share her music. Her work hones in on her personal experiences in life, or whatever comes to mind throughout her creative process.
Morgan advocates for encouraging women in the music industry, especially female instrumentalists who are often left out of the limelight. She draws influence from singer-songwriter Tori Kelly and various Black R&B artists. “I feel like sometimes people don't expect me to be able to play guitar and to sing at the same time,” Morgan said. “I take it as a privilege to be able to represent it, to be something new that people don't really see too often.”
To share her music with the community, Morgan has been publishing her songs, promoting her work on social media under @calla_morgan, and performing live gigs. Through networking, Morgan has formed her own community in Los Angeles. “I've definitely been scared out of my mind, nervous to meet people, but in [playing live], I've met some really amazing people who I've been fortunate enough to form my own circle with,” she said.
This year, Morgan aims to release around six singles and start establishing her own shows. To support aspiring Black artists, she hopes that listeners will stream and share songs from local artists, and buy tickets to their shows. She said, “Just show as much support as you can, whether that means reposting or just telling them, ‘Hey, I really love your music.’ Because it's an amazing feeling when your community shows support like that.”
As these students break barriers and celebrate diversity, they pave the way for others, inspiring a new era of creativity and inclusivity in the community.
