UNCP Student Uses Art to Raise Awareness About Coral Reefs
Flashes of fish cut through imagined water, weaving between bright coral forms that feel almost alive. But look closer — tucked within the textured, reaching branches of coral is a miniature Coke can, a quiet disruption that mirrors a much larger reality.
For Mia Baca, a studio art major at UNC Pembroke, that contrast is intentional.
Expected to graduate in 2026, Baca creates work that draws viewers in with beauty, then challenges them to confront the realities beneath the surface — particularly the effects of pollution and climate change on coral reef ecosystems.
That intention shapes every detail of the piece.
“I wanted to add both these issues in my coral piece to help get that message across,” Baca said.
Baca's work reflects both the beauty and fragility of ocean ecosystems. Their recent coral reef piece was inspired by a desire to educate others about rising ocean temperatures and the effects of environmental neglect, including coral bleaching and threats to marine life.
“Through the pollution, the beauty still shows,” they said. “The animals don't stop living even as they have plastic caught on their bodies. Hopefully one day, we could clean up our oceans to leave just the natural beauty.”
Since coming to UNC Pembroke, Baca has grown as an artist through exploration across multiple mediums. Although they initially focused on acrylic painting, they later discovered new interests in clay and printmaking with support from UNCP Art faculty. The university's small studio classes helped create space for experimentation and artistic growth.
“I appreciated the smaller classes and the one-on-one feedback,” Baca said.
Mentorship has played an important role in Baca's development. Professor Brandon Sanderson, along with faculty members Jessica Dupuis and Samual Speir, offered guidance and encouragement throughout their academic journey.
Sanderson, who teaches printmaking and design at UNCP said Baca's growth reflects the kind of problem-solving and independence students develop in the program.
“At UNCP, the art department challenges students to apply critical thinking, research and hands-on skills to creative problem-solving,” Sanderson said. “Rather than simply providing answers, we equip students with the tools and mindset to ask the right questions and discover solutions for themselves.”
Support from the Pembroke Undergraduate Research and Creativity (PURC) Center SURF grant also allowed Baca to purchase higher-quality tools and produce larger-scale prints, expanding their creative practice.
“In preparing for both the senior capstone exhibit and the April 8 PURC Symposium, I watched Mia navigate obstacles with independence and determination, methodically working through challenges and demonstrating a commitment to both their growth and their craft,” Sanderson said. “The skills Mia gained at UNCP will be critical to their future in both employment and graduate study.”
After graduation, Baca plans to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree at a graduate school in North Carolina and take part in artist residencies to continue developing their work. They hope to exhibit in galleries and solo shows while contributing to the region's creative community.
And Baca's work will remain rooted in the same idea — that art can make people pause, look closer and reconsider what they might otherwise overlook.
Much like the reef they've created, the message is layered: beauty is still there — but what we choose to do with it matters.
