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        This piece was created by Jose Salas/Aguirre for an English project last semester. The assignment had students analyze and determine what the meaning of success is and then, once they found their answer,  express their ideas through an artistic medium. Salas/Aguirre reports that for the drawing itself, he took a snapshot of himself and created a piece incorporating his own image, the face of Tupac Shakur, and several other symbolic items.
        The work ultimately speaks of the gaining of success through the eyes of one that has gone through some emotional hardship (such as living on the poverty-stricken streets). Salas/Aguirre states that his piece is a testimonial indicating his decision to change his wild lifestyle and focus on his music. He compares his previously rough life with that of Tupac Shakur (who is Jose's role model) because like Tupac, Salas/Aguirre grew up without a father and was raised in a primarily matriarchal environment.
        In addition to success, the drawing represents working around poverty, as the rose pictured on the lower right stands for life and the thorn on the rose's stem symbolizes the scarcity of funds. Moreover, the piece narrates how Jose was able to work around these hardships and come out victorious in the end.
        Currently, the drawing is displayed in Anna Marie Archuleta-Jones's office. Salas/Aguirre states that he gave it to her as a gift because if it wasn't for Anna Marie, he wouldn't have had the support and the guidance to gain this tremendous success.     

        Jose Salas/Aguirre created this piece, "Word Problems", as a final project for a math, english, and study skills class, with its overall purpose acting as a way to help him remember math concepts. The work itself is a visual representation of a song Salas/Aguirre recorded with Carlos Montoya about math problems. Ultimately, he created a mnemonic technique to act as a studying mechanism for remembering math problems... and it worked! The piece is currently displayed in Korreeña Montoya's office. 

        This is an untitled piece, also by Jose Salas/Aguirre, that depicts his wilder side as an artist through the use of shape and color. It features a DJ and Salas/Aguirre's tagged name, "J-Jaill", speaking primarily about his talent in music.    
        Keep 'em comin', Jose! Check it out in Anna Marie Jone's office.