DAVIS, Calif. — The Manetti Shrem Museum was the site of the 17th annual Art of Athletes showcase, highlighting the creativity of the UC Davis student-athlete community.

This year marked a milestone for the event, as the exhibition partnered with the museum's Art Jam on April 9, opening its doors to the broader Davis community and offering a new platform to showcase student-athletes beyond competition.

Guided by student-athlete leaders Baxter Chelsom of men's water polo and Ashleigh Garcia of women's soccer, and supported by advisor Leo Lamanna, this year's display centered on the theme "What's Your Why?" The evening featured more than 60 original works from 23 student-athletes, including photography, painting and a live musical performance. The collection also gave several participants the opportunity to offer their original pieces for sale to the public.

In a powerful nod to the program's history, the exhibition also featured an oil painting by Brandon Tucker, a former UC Davis football student-athlete and the original founder of Art of Athletes in 2009. Tucker attended the event,  and spoke on the evolution of the showcase over the nearly two decades later.

"I'm grateful to be part of a community that values the arts, but most importantly, a student-athlete's unheard voice," Tucker said, "For people to come together and allow a safe space to speak about an individual's interests, goals and struggles—being seen and heard has and will always be the number one goal for the Art of Athletes showcase."

The collaboration with Art Jam created a connection between the university's athletic and artistic communities. Reflecting on that relationship, Baxter shared how the experience reshaped his perspective:

"Art of Athletes partnering with Art Jam this year proves that the world of athletics isn't entirely separate from the world of art. My photography has always been an escape from water polo, but when I started to combine the two, I realized there was art even in being in the water with my team. Now, I don't feel like I need to escape anymore. Our theme, 'What's Your Why?' creates a space where other athletes can discover and express that same connection for themselves."

The evening drew friends, family, faculty, and Aggie fans alike, reinforcing the idea that Aggies bring a wide range of passions and identities beyond their sport. Ashleigh emphasized the role of creative expression in that experience:

"Art of Athletes serves as an important reminder that student-athletes are more than their sport, but rather their stories and creative outlets. In conjunction with this year's Art Jam, we're excited to remind our entire community that self-expression doesn't have to be perfect for it to be powerful."

Throughout the evening, attendees engaged with a range of displays that reflected the individuality of UC Davis student-athletes, providing insight into the players and teams rarely seen in competition. The Men's Water Polo team took the stage for a musical performance, joined by head coach Dan Leyson on guitar, offering a glimpse into their chemistry and creativity outside the pool.

As the event concluded, Lamanna thanked the Manetti Shrem Museum for its continued partnership and recognized Ashleigh and Baxter for coordinating this year's showcase.

Attendees left with that extends beyond competition and is one shaped by creativity, identity, and purpose beyond competition.

ABOUT UC DAVIS ATHLETICS 
UC Davis, ranked No. 2 among public universities by the Wall Street Journal in the value of a college degree, is home to 40,000 undergraduate students and 12,000 employees. Ranked top in the United States in agriculture and forestry as well as No. 1 in veterinary medicine, UC Davis is located in a true California college town nestled between world-class destinations such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe. Over 650 Aggie student-athletes compete in 25 Division I varsity sports, with 16 sports transitioning to the Mountain West Conference beginning in 2026–27. 

For more information, visit https://ucdavisaggies.com/.