Iowa State has always expressed equal opportunity for all students and has stated its devotion to help students achieve and excel in all areas — however, one student found there are some lines of opportunity that are difficult to cross.

Pedro Perez, an international student from Puerto Rico, originally came to ISU to study science.

However, receiving two degrees in the sciences — zoology and medical illustration — did not satisfy him. He decided to work towards his masters in painting.

“I have been painting my whole life,” Perez said. “I have always wanted to paint.”

Last February, it seemed Perez had achieved one goal all artists share — to have his own exhibit allowing him the opportunity to display his own collection of work. But this turned out to be a short-lived accomplishment.

“I had a contract to display my work in the Pioneer Room [in the Memorial Union] for one month,” Perez said. “A week after the show, they [the staff of the Memorial Union] took it down.”

The exhibit was being displayed during the same time Odyssey of the Mind was using the Pioneer Room as its press room.

“They took the show down because it was inappropriate for the children,” Perez said with a shrug. “But they wouldn’t really explain it to me.

“Before having work displayed, you have to show slides to the fine arts coordinator,” Perez continued. “It was OK then but not after putting it up.”

In a search for answers, Perez tried to contact the Memorial Union staff by writing letters defending himself and his work.

He also began writing letters to the editor of the Daily.

In June, when all of his efforts failed, he decided the only thing left to do was to take the Memorial Union to court.

In court, “they [the Memorial Union] asked me what I wanted,” Perez said. “I sold one painting and they [the Memorial Union] kept 40 percent of the sales [which is normal policy]. I wanted the money and another show.”

And he got it. Another contract was signed with the Memorial Union and under this new contract, Perez received all of the profit from the works that sold plus a month-long show in November.

Since this case, the Memorial Union has changed its policy on what can be displayed in the building.

The new policy states that the Union has the right to choose what it wants to show, based on what it thinks is too graphic or inappropriate.

“I guess they use me as an example,” Perez said. “For anyone who wants to sign a contract, they tell them about my case and ask ‘what would you do if this happened?'”

Since his last show in the Pioneer Room, Perez and his work have moved on and yesterday marked the opening of a four-day display of his work in Gallery 181B.

His work, partly consisting of images from the Puerto Rican tradition and partly of self-portraits, is created from oils, oil bars with paper and masonry for the base.

“I like to capture the moods from within,” Perez said. “I like to be able to look at art and be able to see what the artist was feeling.”

One piece that comes from within is “vejipanpes.” Originating from Puerto Rico, “vejipanpes” are carnival masks made of papier mache.

Perez described them as a specialty item in Puerto Rican tourism and said they carry legends and traditions in imagery.

Guest artist, Peter Richards, will also be displaying some of his work with Perez. Richards’ work consists of many paintings of women and society’s portrayal of them.

Perez compared some of Richards’ work to the old TV show “Charlie’s Angels” because the Angels would do anything for Charlie but not for anyone else, Perez said as he described Richard’s work.

The Pedro Perez Thesis Show will be on display until Nov. 21 in Gallery 181B of the Design Building. The Gallery is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.