Through Our lens
ONLINE EXHIBITION PRESENTATION
Through Our Lens Home
Leslie Elsasser - Introduction
Selina Roman - Looking Inward, Seeing Clearer
Christian Cortes
Beginning (Section A)
Jarrett Gafford - US Air Force
Dawn S. Hargrett - US Navy
Rebekka Huneke - Daughter of US Air Force Veteran Father
Ramonita Rosa - US Army
Kimberlee Nicole Smith - US Army
Monika Sutton - Wife of US Army Veteran
Karl Young II - US Army Colonel (US Special Operations Command)
Advanced (Section B)
James Alexander - US Air Force
Manfredo Bobadilla - US Army
Wildalys Class - US Air Force
Agustin Collazo Jr. - US Marine Corps / US Navy
Amanda Dodd - US Army
Evan Fountain - US Air Force
Mikko Maki - US Marine Corps
Alicia Morales - US Army
RaeAnne Swanson - US Air Force
WILDALYS CLASS - US Air Force
Dad’s Got it!
Texas in July is beautiful: blue, clear skies create perfect days. It was on this perfect morning, cool with the whistle of wind and not yet sticky with heat of the afternoon that I decided to visit Trader’s Village Flea Market. There was a festive feeling in the air with the jubilant screams from thrill seeking fair riders. The rides offered freedom to lose control and the let go of the worries and burdens of daily life.
I passed by a vintage styled food booth and a display of international flags and stopped to watch. The flags made me feel welcomed, gesturing toward multiculturalism where all are accepted, and families lined up at the primary-colored food booth that boasted of the treats they offer.
A little girl stood in line with her father and was bouncing on the balls of her feet, excited for the treat that awaited her. The treats did not come fast enough, and the girl ran back to the rest of her family that waited in the shade. I can imagine her telling her mother and siblings that “it’s okay, Dad’s got it!” She giggled in the shade as her father balanced food cartons in his arms. His helper had quit, so he had to go slow.
In that little girl I saw my niece, who loves a sweet treat and would almost certainly do the same with a cheeky smile on her face. The mounting heat did not phase the young girl who was enchanted at the prospect of her father buying a sugary funnel cake or a deep-fried hot dog. This pure unadulterated joy, punctuated by her amused and exasperated father, did not cease to make me smile, too.
As the unrelenting heat began to rise, I decided to go home. I realized that I delighted in these simple pleasures. Being surrounded by other’s happiness brings me joy. Finding symbols of acceptance, a carnival atmosphere, a loving family, and the promise of a perfect day gave me hope and provided a touchstone to my happiness.
WILDALYS CLASS
US AIR FORCE
For more information:
Email Leslie Elsasser at lelsasse@usf.edu
Breaking Barriers is a project by USFCAM in collaboration with the USF School of Art and Art History, with Support from the USF Office of Veterans Success, Community Arts Impact Grant Program of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County, Love IV Lawrence 2020 Waves of Change Grant, and additional support from the ACE Arts for Community Engagement Fund and the Florida Department of State.
Donate!
Donate now to support our exhibitions and related educational programs!
Subscribe
Sign up for USF Institute for Research in Art email updates!
Follow us
Internships
Interested in an internship at CAM or Graphicstudio? Visit our Internships page to find out how to apply and what deadlines you need to know.
Visitor Information
Graphicstudio Hours:
Temporarily Closed
USFCAM Hours:
Monday - Friday 10am–5pm; Thursday 10am–8pm; Saturday 1–4pm; Closed Sundays and all university holidays. Visitors to the museum are expected to wear masks and practice social distancing.
Tours + Field Trips :
Groups and organizations interested in tours of the exhibition should contact CAM to schedule at least two weeks in advance at (813) 974-4133.
Field Trip Guide:
Download our field trip guide for everything you need to know before bringing your students to CAM!
Accessibility:
The University of South Florida Contemporary Art Museum (USFCAM) is fully accessible to visitors with disabilities. There are disabled parking spaces outsde of the museum, an accessible entrance, good lighting and accessible restrooms.
The museum follows the
USF guidelines regarding service animals.
USFCAM faculty and staff are pleased to work with organizations that provide cultural opportunities for disabled clients to tour the Museum. Please call (813) 974-4133 two weeks in advance to request specific tour information. For more accessibility information please call (813) 974-4133.
Copyright + Reproduction
The electronic images available on this site are subject to copyright and may be covered by other restrictions as well. The images are made available to the general public for the sole purpose of representing the USF Contemporary Art Museum’s programs and collection. Copying or redistribution of the images in any manner without the express written permission of the University of South Florida Institute for Research in Art is strictly prohibited.
Contact
caminfo@usf.edu
(813) 974-4133