Throughout the ages, art has helped encourage dialogue, interpret culture, increase community pride and educate individuals about issues of the day. The creators of a new juried exhibit being organized at Union are hoping to achieve all of this on campus and in the broader community.
“LGBT: A Union Perspective,” will run April 7 through May 18 at the Wikoff Student Gallery in the Nott Memorial.
Students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to submit original artwork that thoughtfully interprets issues of importance to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, including diversity, personal identity and discrimination.
Entries in all media are being accepted March 10-14, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Works can be dropped off at Schaffer Library Room 122.
“This is a great opportunity to educate people on LGBT issues, and most importantly, to celebrate our diversity,” said Angela McMichael, periodicals assistant at Schaffer and a designated LGBT “ally.”
Union’s LGBT allies are trained volunteers working to increase acceptance and tolerance across campus by offering their support to the LGBT community. Allies have joined forces with other campus groups, including the library, ARTS House, Dean of Students Office, Music & Culture House, Seneca House, Sociology Department, Spectrum and Unitas to launch the LGBT art show.
“It is my hope that this exhibition will lead visitors to a new and/or different way of thought,” said Devin Harrison ’09, manager of ARTS House.
“Our goal is to be inclusive, to encourage submissions in any form or medium we can showcase. We’re all excited to see what we will receive,” said Schaffer Library Head of Collection Development Courtney Seymour. “We hope the show will provoke conversation at Union beyond its installation.”
In addition to visual arts, the group will consider works of fiction, music “or other, perhaps, undefined” types of art or interdisciplinary work. “We’re interested in whatever ways people want to express their feelings on the subject,” Seymour said.
Other LBGT exhibit committee members include Student Activities Assistant Director Kerrie Wolf; Schaffer Reference Librarian Bruce Connolly and Catalog Librarian John Myers; and Mandeville Gallery Director Rachel Seligman and Exhibitions Assistant Kara Jefts.
The exhibition will coincide with the April 25 National Day of Silence, a student-led event to bring attention to anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and discrimination in schools.
Entry forms and guidelines for “LGBT: A Union Perspective” are available at the Wikoff Student Gallery and Schaffer Library and through the Schaffer Library and LGBT Allies Web sites.
Questions may be directed to Seymour at 388-6632, seymourc@union.edu or to Jefts at 388-8358 or jeftsk@union.edu.