Exploring Identity and Representation: France

September 21, 2019 to February 23, 2020

In June during UO Zero week, twelve university students studied abroad in a Global Education Oregon (GEO) program designed and led by Director of Education Lisa AbiaSmith at the site of her own study abroad university thirty years ago in Aix-en-Provence. Their course addressed visual media and explored vehicles for creative expression from the standpoints of marginalization, isolation, and identity. Through excursions, including a twoday visit to Paris, they were introduced to art museums as centers for social learning and engagement. Participants used personal and artistic narrative to develop critical thinking, communication, and visual literacy skills and examined the idea that artistic creativity is sometimes the result of adversity. Selections of their work are on view in this exhibition.