January 25, 2018
La Roche College Presents “I Am More” Exhibit
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 25, 2018 – From now until Feb. 12 visitors can explore an interactive exhibit created by La Roche University design students.
The “I Am More” exhibit, located in the Cantellops Art Gallery of the Zappala College Center, encourages its audience to explore contemporary social issues.
Over the course of a special topics class in the fall, led by Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Andy Schwanbeck, graphic and interior design students collaborated to create the exhibit. The class worked with Natural and Behavioral Sciences Division Chair Jane Arnold to feature “I Am More” as course content for the La Roche Experience (LRX) Diversity and Discrimination course.
Professor Schwanbeck said, “Breaching this topic was a huge effort to undertake in our 16-week semester. Our class spent many days simply working out what we wanted to say and how we wanted to say it. It was an incredible learning experience for all of us, and we’re fortunate to be able to share what we’ve learned through this exhibit.”
“I Am More” explores topics such as race, gender, religion, sexual orientation and income inequality through narratives from past and current events.
The exhibit encourages viewers to take actions every day, in small ways, to combat oppression, bigotry and hate. The narrative hopes to teach those who have certain implied privileges in life to become allies for those who do not.
“I see our inspiration as coming from both our own lives and the real-life examples that we see in everyday life and the media,” senior graphic design major Charleigh Smith said. “There were times during research that a story would bring up an example of bias or prejudice, and it took us all by surprise, so we wanted to put those surprising elements into the exhibit so that viewers can experience it for themselves.”
The following students helped in the creation of the “I Am More” exhibit:
- Heather Clay of Pittsburgh
- Brittany Craig of Mill Run
- Brandy Gibbons of Ashville
- Clara Grandy of Belleville
- Olivia Healy of Pittsburgh
- Becky Hinzman of Pittsburgh
- Kelsey Lewis of Coraopolis
- Sitanan ‘Beau’ Limsakulpakdi of Monaca
- Akaashmi Mishra of Glenshaw
- Athena Russo of Youngstown, Ohio
- Charleigh Smith of Sugar Grove
- Taylor Zediker of Valencia
Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Omari Souza and Director of Diversity and Inclusion Candace Okello were instrumental through the planning stages of the exhibit, offering support and information on issues of race and oppression.
LRX is a series of required courses for all traditional freshmen, sophomore and juniors. The courses focus on the United Nations Global Sustainability Goals, which were established to help the world focus on improvements in education, hunger, equality, child mortality, maternal health, disease prevention and environmental sustainability. LRX shows students how to use their education to make a positive difference.
Since 1992 La Roche has held accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and is one of only two schools in the Pittsburgh area, and one of only 322 nationally, that is accredited by NASAD.
About La Roche University: A private liberal arts college in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, six graduate degree programs and one doctoral program, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, and health and medical sciences as well as interior design and graphic design. This residential college provides a vibrant campus community for more than 1,500 men and women enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.
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