On a campus that has become increasingly aware and active in promoting pluralism, the Center for Multicultural Equity and Access continues to contribute to the education of minority students by offering academic and financial support, creating various programs and organizing activities. CMEA recognizes the important contributions minority students have to offer to the Georgetown community, so when Xaivier Ringer (COL ’08) and Jacquey Julio (COL ’10) decided to put together a gallery to display the artistic talents of minority students, their project perfectly complimented the mission of the Center. For Ringer, the project was a goal she had been hoping to accomplish for years, and now the XAJU Art Gallery is a colorful and rich addition to the CMEA office on the fifth floor of the Leavey Center.
How did you first get involved with CMEA?
I guess it’s a long story, but here’s the short version: I was introduced to CMEA through Hoya Saxa Weekend, which is a GAAP weekend for minority students. So that’s how I was first introduced to the office, and I worked there for three years, so I became pretty close with the administrators.
How did you become interested in setting up a gallery for the organization?
I had done a final project for photography my sophomore year, and I noticed that the space could use some sprucing up and more of a student touch instead of just random art. So I asked if I could display my final project for photography, which was with minority students. They offered to do it and bought the frames to display it, and from there I’ve always had an interest in actually curating a special space just for student art, just by noticing how the audience reacted to the pictures, and it added a cool touch to the office.
How did you come into contact with Jacquey Julio?
Well, Jacquey is full of energy and talent, and she’s another idea person similar to myself. I had always thought about the idea, and Jacquey had a similar idea, and I was like, ‘why not work together and combine our ideas especially since I’m a senior now and I’ll be leaving, and she’s a sophomore and can continue our vision.?’
What does the name of the gallery mean?
XAJU takes the first two letters of my first name, Xaivier, and the first two letters of Jacquey’s last name, Julio. It’s a combination that had a ring to it. How will you select works to go into the gallery? Jacquey and I are in the process of developing a committee, which this year will be myself, Jacquey, two CMEA staff. We’re trying to develop some sophomores and freshmen to stay on the selection committee for each semester. We’ll choose the works basically based on the mini-essay entries, on what the artist wants to display, what they want to come across in the audience and how it fits into the office space.
What kind of art are you looking for?
Our requirements are photography, painting or drawing; basically anything that can fit in an 11-by-14 or 22-by-18 frame. No sculpture, because that’s too hard to hang. But any work that can be framed.
What are your hopes for the future of the gallery?
My hope is to expand it to the opposite side of the wall, so it becomes the entire hall leading up to the office of CMEA. I also hope to just create a dialogue about art, about the artistic talent of our students — beside of the very academic schedules that they have, they’re very artistic and able to contribute to the school through their talent — and also to just create great prizes for the artists who enter their work.