The Justice Through Art 2025 winners have been announced, and they include one Criminal Justice major and one Political Science. We would like to congratulate Criminal Justice student Valencia Julien, for winning 3rd place in the literary category for her piece “A Deserted City”.
This year, the theme was “Environmental Justice” and talented students from across campus submitted both art and literary pieces depicting their interpretation of the theme. You can view the winning literary submissions and winning visual submissions on the Justice Through Art website.
Justice Through Art’s mission is to provide a space for students to channel their emotional energy and express opinions on current events through art. The idea for this contest was born out of Associate Professor of Instruction in the Criminal Justice Department Catresa Meyers’ stress and anxiety of the current state of affairs. She put together a collage of Breonna Taylor, woven into the history of black women in this country. In the end, Meyers was pleased with the piece and saw it as a great way to release the anxiety that had been building up inside of her. Through her conversations with her students, Meyers realized that many of them have strong emotions about these turbulent times. Not all of them are born protestors. Some of them are like her: they want to add their voice to the discussion, but through art. That is when the idea of an art contest was born.
1st place: “Burning Truth”
Samantha Leach
Political Science/ CLA
Description: ”This is a literal poem about climate change and the rise of crime it causes. It’s a message to anyone not taking the climate crisis seriously that it is real and it is happening. Our earth needs protection and instead of putting energy into hurting each other we can collectively help our earth for our futures.
2nd place: “Beneath the Smoke”
Eleena John
Biology Major / College of Science and Technology
Description: This poem is written from the perspective of a child who lives through the reality of redlining in Philadelphia. The constant construction and odor makes life miserable and hopeless for a child who wants to go out and play. Through this poem I want people to understand and feel the helplessness a child goes through. This poem also reflects the small acts of bit of hope through a flower growing through the concrete. The underlying message is about empowerment and seeking justice for the environment and social issues that low-income Philadelphia citizens face daily.
3rd place: “A Deserted City”
Valencia Julien
Criminal Justice Major / College of Liberal Arts
Description: Creative writing- Short story, about a young college student who lives in a future America in a fictional city. The art of agriculture has been lost and meals are packed for the city’s citizens. She is introduced to the idea of a community garden to better the livelihood of her fellow neighbors, while the rich live above the rest (literally).