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Art, Poetry, and Creativity Invitation
Submissions

Inspired by the 2024 Opus Prize, the Santa Clara University community was invited to submit original works of art, music, and writing reflecting upon the many aspects of the Opus Prize, including this year's theme "Faith Makes Wonders Work," the values of the Opus Prize and/or the work, projects, or impact of the three Opus Prize finalists. Prizes were offered for student-submitted art, writing, or music entries that most convey the values or impact of the Opus Prize.

Congratulations to the winners,  featured below.


Art

First Place: Junghwa Yoo ’25 Untitled watercolor
A watercolor painting of four colorfully dressed people planting a tree
Second Place: Natnael Antonio, S.J., STL ’25 Heroine in the Shadows (acrylic)
Painting of women with children walking through trees with water and provisions
Third Place: Kylie Riggs ’27 Untitled photography
Black and white photo of sculpted intertwining hands


Writing

First Place: Ruby Gutierrez ’25

6th Street Bridge

This is the spot that people from el otro lado
Want to see. A city line at orange sunset,
Framed by sunbathed pillars and arches.

A weakened foundation breaks over generations.

Invisible silhouette fills the space above el rio
Until steel skeletons turn into concrete beams
That hold East L.A. and Boyle Heights.

The arches and their shadows are reborn.

Great films fueron grabados en este puente,
And beautiful photographs have faded,
But the memory of the past remains

Solidified in the paved road going from east to west.

Marked by the tattoos of skid marks from rubber burnouts,
The bridge is guarded at night by red and blue lights
Shining against the lowriders who admire from afar.

Soon the bridge will welcome travelers again.

People will climb the death-defying height of los arcos,
Above the highway, train tracks, and riverbed
Of the busy city that sometimes drowns out

The trickling water under the bridge every year.

One day people will see the plants again—
Sprouting from the open spaces in the sidewalks—
And continue walking across the bridge.

Second Place: Colin Leung ’27

Inspire

Streamlined function with little to no shortcuts


Direct vision pierce through any barrier blocking


Split wide open with nuance to restore shatters


March into hazards


Turn an idea to lifelong support wires


With support themselves able to reel community in


Bit by bit evolving that would get somebody thinking


More direct than any words pouring into earth


Local social leaders enlarge the font for seats in the back


Organize findings making rounds and an impact


Actions speak prompting you to see the other side


Put it all on paper see the creations revolutionized


Partnership roots growing imbedded and transforming


Lead with arrows where they’re headed


Whether or not its photogenic


Granted with a light to their own environment


Faith in the idea now can wonder how it's possible


Miracle in writing we will see the foundations


And turn our head toward someone who has truly been inspired

 

Third Place: April Kieu Le ’26

Mini Zine "Repping the Crips"

Photo of handmade

 

 


Music


Vishwa Prakash
Computer Science and Engineering
Class of 2028

This audio is the musical score for Vishwa's short film "Frame". The score is meant to be soothing, melancholy, and indicative of reflection.


(The first 17 seconds are silence.)


For more information on the Campus Art, Poetry, Creativity Invitation.