Roots of Resilience: Featured Works from Who Got Roots 2025 is an art exhibit and groundbreaking community art initiative presented by Salt Lake Community College in collaboration with the Malialole Polynesian Cultural Arts Ensemble, who organizes the annual Who Got Roots competition. The exhibition features artwork by Pacific Islander high school students from the Salt Lake Valley who participated in this year’s competition, offering a unique opportunity for the wider community to witness as they explore and express their cultural identity, lived experiences, and ancestral heritage through visual art.

The 2025 Who Got Roots theme is Roots of Resilience. For Pacific Islander youth growing up in America, resilience is more than a concept – it is a daily reality, a lived experience. Many face challenges such as cultural displacement, underrepresentation, racial discrimination, and economic struggles. The Who Got Roots Art Competition provides Pacific Islander high school students a platform to see their stories reflected on canvas and find strength in their heritage. Artistic expression is highlighted as acts of healing, self-determination, and empowerment.

While the exhibit highlights Pacific Islander art and student stories, it is intentionally inclusive and open to everyone. People from all backgrounds are invited to attend, engage, and learn. The exhibit fosters cross-cultural understanding, encourages dialogue, and creates a space where visitors can discover shared values, experiences, and aspirations. It is a celebration of resilience that transcends cultural boundaries and invites all attendees to reflect on their own roots and identities.