Posted on Aug. 27: 9/11 art show fosters respect’

McMaster's Anti-Violence Network (AVN) hopes a visual art show will help people express their feelings one year after Sept. 11.

“Art, being a universal medium, was chosen as a means to allow people to express their feelings, in this case around issues of religious and racial difference, and how lack of respect impacts on these differences,” says Pat Young, administrative co-ordinator in the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies and a member of the AVN.

McMaster's diversity is reflected in the artwork by McMaster students, faculty and staff, says Young. “Encouraging, or fostering, respect for one another, despite our many differences, is a good way to eliminate many of the tensions that arise between people of many diverse beliefs and races. Our hope is that the diversity of our campus will be reflected in the artwork collected.”

The art show is connected to a Sept. 14 conference sponsored by AVN, entitled “One Year After September 11th–What Have We Learned?”

The day-long conference, in the McMaster University Student Centre, will feature guest speakers and a panel discussion.

The art show arose from discussions after the events of Sept. 11, says Young. “We were made aware of concerns in various ethnic communities following violence in the community at large, and members of various ethnic groups on campus also expressed concerns about their safety.”

This led to an event last spring entitled “Fostering Respect”. The event brought together representatives from various religious faiths to speak on misconceptions about their beliefs.

“We believe that education is one positive step that we can offer to expose misconceptions and to increase respect for religious traditions,” Young says.

AVN has put out a call for entries for the juried art exhibition. Entries must be original works of art created by the artist and must be available for purchase. The exhibition is open to all two- and three-dimensional works of art, except electronic video performances. There is a limit of one entry per person. Judging will take place the first week of September and the selected works will be on display from Sept. 13 to 15 in the New Space, Togo Salmon Hall, Room 114.

Entries must be submitted by Aug. 28. in the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies, TSH 726 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The reception and award presentation for the exhibition takes place Sept. 14 from 7 to 9 p.m. in TSH 114. For more information contact Pat Young at youngpm@mcmaster.ca or ext. 23112.