Elmira College

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First-Year Students Use Art To Explore U.S. Constitution

Elmira, NY (09/16/2021) — Tomorrow is Constitution Day, which marks the date the Founding Fathers signed the U.S. Consitution in 1878. To honor the momentous document, a new exhibition opens today in the Gannett-Tripp Library lobby with depictions of some of the Amendments to the Constitution.

The exhibit will be on display through October 22 and is part of the First-Year Seminar Just Design course, taught by media artist Jan Kather. In the class, students consider the role that design plays in understanding conflicts that result from discrimination by race, gender, religion and cultural identity.

Participating students include Bryan Adams, Quintel Clements, Kodel Frontin, Ryleigh Hunt, Leonie Kuehberger, Kylie Lumley, Jade Nappier, Maylin Reys, Taylor Ryan, Megan Scriver, Savannah Seager, Yamara Taylor, Jay Trifilo, Anna Ward, Brett Warden, Brijon Warren and Brooke Williams.

"Making sense of the world can be achieved when we analyze the underlying "designs" that shape our everyday life," Kather said. "Our readings, discussions and fine arts projects will help to guide us through a process of self-discovery and cooperative learning."

Other design projects (informed by the class readings) will involve poetry, collage, video, staged readings, and other forms of expression.

Constitution Day is held annually on September 17 to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of the United States.

About Elmira College

Founded in 1855, Elmira College is a private, residential, liberal arts college offering 25-plus majors, an honors program, 17 academic societies, and 18 Division III varsity teams. Located in the Southern Finger Lakes Region of New York, Elmira's undergraduate and graduate student population hails from more than 20 states and nine countries. Elmira is a Phi Beta Kappa College and has been ranked a top college, nationally, for student internships. The College is also home to the Center for Mark Twain Studies, one of four historically significant Twain heritage sites in the U.S., which attracts Twain scholars and educators from around the world for research on the famous literary icon. Proud of its history and tradition, the College is committed to the ideals of community service, and intellectual and individual growth.

Media Attachments

Artwork shown by Ryleigh Hunt ‘25 depicts the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Other pieces in the exhibit similarly visualize Amendments including the First Amendment, which gives citizens the freedom of religion, press, assembly, petition, and speech.

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