Every year, from September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month offers an opportunity to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities across the United States.
At Front Range Community College we honor the diversity and strength of our students, alumni, faculty and staff who identify as Hispanic, Latino/a/x and more.
As part of this year’s celebration, we’re proud to spotlight a student artist whose work explores emotional depth, surrealism and personal identity, including their connection to their Mexican heritage.
Finding Their Voice Through Art
Mykie Gutierrez (they/them) is currently pursuing an Associate of Arts degree with a focus in studio art at FRCC’s Westminster campus. Although they originally planned to transfer to a four-year university, their journey has evolved. Mykie now plans to graduate with an Associate degree in two semesters and pursue a career as an artist.
Mykie’s passion lies in painting, especially surrealist works that channel emotion and experience through symbolic and dreamlike imagery. They primarily work with gouache and acrylic paints.
Discovering Inspiration
“A lot of what inspires me is nature and the people around me,” Mykie says.
Their journey as an artist began early, sparked by a required art class in middle school. What started as a simple elective quickly became something much deeper.
“It just suddenly hit me that I really enjoy art,” they recall. “I started to draw all the time, and I just began to love it more and more. By high school, it had become what I want to do with my life.”
Growth at FRCC
Since arriving at FRCC, Mykie has seen a tremendous transformation in both their technical skills and creative confidence. They credit much of that growth to the college’s supportive art program and to the mentorship of professors like Javier Flores.
“FRCC has a lot of great benefits for artists, a lot more than I would expect from a community college,” Mykie says.
In particular, they have appreciated how instructors create opportunities for students to share and even sell their work—whether through in-class displays or curated exhibitions.
When asked about accomplishments they’re proud of, Mykie points to their overall development as an artist.
“I don’t think I expected to improve as much as I did, and I think it’s pretty awesome how much I’ve learned.”
Looking Ahead: Art With Impact
As they approach graduation, Mykie is still shaping their long-term goals, but one thing is clear: They’re committed to making art that resonates on an emotional level.
“I really hope that my art impacts people in a good way, and that I can make them feel something,” they say.
Much of Mykie’s work touches on the emotional toll of the world’s difficulties, and the ways that individuals—especially young people—cope with stress, uncertainty and change.
Exploring Their Heritage
As someone who is half Mexican American, Mykie says that Hispanic Heritage Month gives them a chance to reconnect with a part of their identity they don’t always get to examine deeply in their day-to-day life.
“It means a lot to me that the school celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month because it’s a part of my identity that I don’t really get to explore a lot… I’m just happy in general to be a part of that community, especially in spite of what’s currently happening toward the community,” they add.
A Community That Supports Creativity and Identity
Through it all, Mykie has found FRCC to be a place where art, identity and community intersect, giving them room to grow not only as an artist, but also as a person. Their story is one of passion and personal expression, and a reminder of the role educational spaces play in supporting creativity and culture.
