DAVIS, Calif. – During this past quarter the Manetti Shrem Museum hosted the 16th annual showcase of "Art of Athletes", an inspiring platform for student-athletes to display their creative talents off the fields, courts and pools of competition.
 
This year Jailen Burrell, a senior on the men's track and field team and art major, coordinated the showcase which focused on "Athletic Aesthetics".
 
Over 20 Aggie student athletes participated in the showcase, with over 50 art pieces being shown to friends, family and the Davis community. The pieces hammered home how talented and fully rounded Aggie student athletes are with those creative skills on full display.
 
Women's basketball senior Mazatlan Harris has been part of the showcase for years and always looks forward to a chance to show off to others how she is more than just a basketball player. "I have a beautiful and intricate mind that expresses itself through art," said Harris. "It makes me feel valuable and seen as more than I am."
 
Throughout the night guests were treated to a captivating array of artwork that spanned from painting and drawings to photography and videography. Each piece spoke volumes of the vision and voice of each student athlete as they put themselves and their artistic vision on display.
 
"Corn-rose was a very special piece for me," recalls Harris. "It expresses how black hair is something that can be seen as beautiful in any form. The style, history, and pattern are beautiful."
 
As the evening ended, student-athlete advisor Leo Lamanna expressed gratitude to the Manetti Shrem Museum for once again hosting the event while commending Burrell on his work coordinating this year's showcase.
 
Walking out the door, attendees took with them the memories of captivating artwork but also a peek into the creative side of UC Davis student athletes.

This story is an example of UC Davis Athletics' commitment to the Ignite Strategic Plan Pillar of "Student-Athlete Development and Welfare" by fostering environments that promote professional development and place emphasis on the mental health of student-athletes. Read more about our strategic plan here; IGNITE.