Diversity, artistic abilities celebrated at IDREAM art show at Penn State DuBois

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DuBOIS, Pa. - Members of the Penn State DuBois campus community came together to celebrate both their diversity and their artistic talents at the third annual campus and community art show, hosted by the IDREAM Team at Penn State DuBois.

The gym floor at the PAW Center was full of enthusiasm for this event that celebrates diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) through artwork. Paintings, drawings, photographs and more were all on display, showing great variety of platforms in which artists could express their visions and show what DEIB means to the artist.

I'm hopeful that this collaborative event between the campus and wider community will continue to grow for many years to come as it beautifully represents our IDREAM Team's mission.

-Jessica Clontz , assistant teaching professor of human development and family studies at Penn State DuBois

"The artwork submitted varied in medium and message, making it a unique event for everyone to enjoy," said Jessica Clontz, assistant teaching professor of human development and family studies and a member of the IDREAM Team at Penn State DuBois. "I'm hopeful that this collaborative event between the campus and wider community will continue to grow for many years to come as it beautifully represents our IDREAM Team's mission: to foster a safe and welcoming campus and community by educating and keeping an open dialogue on inclusion, diversity, equity, and belonging."

With more than 30 submissions from students, faculty, staff and community members, the show had something for everyone no matter their artistic taste. All artwork was judged by a panel of judges for several awards. Winners of the awards were:

• Student awards:
  • First place - Lilly Kemick
  • Second place - Austin DuBay
  • Third place - Madison Eckley
  • Fourth place - Jacob Newcamp
  • Fifth place - Erika Sweka
  • Sixth place - Amber Eberly
  • Seventh place - Carson Sorg
  • Eighth place - Raegan Gelmette
  • Ninth place - Luther Shepard
  • Tenth place - Charity Croyle
• Faculty and staff awards:
  • First place - Bonnie Imler
  • Second place - Amity Sloppy
  • Third place - KJ Harmon
• Community awards:
  • First place - Grace Bergin
  • Second place - Cole Caruso
  • Third place - Emily Joseph
• Community high school awards:
  • First place - Morgan Hoare
  • Second place - Rileigh Hollopeter
  • Third place - Kailey Korb
  • Fourth place - Lindsey Johnson

The show was a powerful reminder of how art can foster connection, promote understanding, and celebrate the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

-Emily Zimmerman , reference & instruction librarian and member of the IDREAM Team at Penn State DuBois

"I'm incredibly proud of the success of this year's IDREAM Campus & Community art show, which truly reflected the diverse voices and experiences that make our campus & community so unique," said Emily Zimmerman, reference & instruction librarian and member of the IDREAM Team at Penn State DuBois. "The show was a powerful reminder of how art can foster connection, promote understanding, and celebrate the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Seeing so many students, faculty, and local artists come together to share their work was both inspiring and reaffirming."

In 2020, the IDREAM team was created, which was reimagined from the original campus diversity team through an intensive needs assessment and campus community survey. IDREAM stands for:

• Inclusion
• Diversity
• Racial equality
• Equity
• Accountability and awareness
• Multiculturalism

Since its creation, the IDREAM team has used thoughtful planning to position itself to best support students, faculty and staff at Penn State DuBois, as well as the surrounding communities that it serves.