Project Description

Join us for an apprenticeship experience with artist Richard Haynes, Jr. and the students, faculty, staff and alumni of Saint Anselm College.

Guided by our mission as a Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts College, and the Strategic Plan: Looking Within – Reaching Beyond, Saint Anselm College is pleased to announce the development of a community mural that will focus on our commitment to fostering an intentionally inclusive campus environment. This multi-disciplinary project will be led by visiting artist and lecturer Richard Haynes over the course of several weekends in January and February 2011.

Dialogues about diversity will provide a foundation for the visual images that will be displayed on the large-scale collaborative painting. Fundamental questions such as, “Who are you?” and “What does diversity mean to your generation?” will be explored. Participants will learn to consider their responses in visual terms – what does diversity (i.e. ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation) visually look like? What do social injustice and change look like?

“The Shape of Diversity” Community Mural Project embodies more than its end result. Our main goals include: providing a forum where participants can engage in authentic dialogues about diversity and its meaning; promoting greater self awareness of us as individuals and as a campus community; and creating a mural through democratic participation that will represent who we are and where we want to be in the future. Art will be used as a medium to help facilitate social change.

This unifying, transformative project cannot be successful without widespread participation on campus. You do not have to be an artist to help with this effort. All students, faculty, staff, and alumni are encouraged to take an active role in creating this permanent symbol of our collective voices. Be part of the voice of change that will help to strengthen our community. To register and obtain updates on events visit:  http://www.TheShapeofDiversity.org. Questions can be directed to Yemi Mahoney at 656-6028 or multiculturalcenter@anselm.edu.