By Ned Gannon, Professor of Art
Last year, I was asked to include my students’ artworks in the “Encounters” exhibition put on in the fall by a large group of collaborators, organized by JONAH, and hosted by the Hmong Mutual Assistance Association. Now in its third iteration, the event has become an annual coming together of artists working in various mediums as well as poets, musicians, and dance performances, all working from a general theme or prompt. Last year’s theme was “Celebrating Differences” and this year’s theme is “Unnamed: What Defines You Beyond Labels”. If you want to submit an artwork, poem, or even a written response to the prompt that might be paired with an artist’s rendition of the theme, please contact Lynn Buske through JONAH.
Student artists from my Figure Drawing class participated last year, and this year, young painters from my Water-Media class will be involved. Even though colleagues of mine participated in previous years, I didn’t know what to expect. Tangible benefits I could see from students’ involvement with this experience ranged from creating art in response to a theme, to problem-solving when installing the work, to working as hosts or promoters of the events around the exhibition. But perhaps the most meaningful aspect for students is seeing them mix with community members and local artists, forcing them out of their comfort zone of peers to consider work being made outside of the academic sphere. Building community is not easy and requires a lot of effort, and these students see a small indication of the need for that kind of collaboration and the challenges of making it happen.
Working in black, white, and gray tones, last year’s class produced some wonderful figurative works that explored individuals that we described in class as going “unnoticed” or “unrecognized”. The works and accompanying stories often moved me as I viewed them as a group or individually and read through artists’ statements about why they chose to feature a friend, family member, or peer. The experience was also humbling for me. Due to my hectic first semester as chair, my colleagues and students helped install and transport work from my classes, reminding me that collaboration means accepting help and not controlling every aspect of an event. One surprise for me was a poem by a former student who had graduated years ago. I was forced to pause as I contemplated words that described difficulties overcoming personal struggles and consider the humanity of that individual. That experience reminded me of one of my favorite quotes by the late John Berger, “You can plan an event, but if the event goes according to plan, it’s not an event.”
The opening reception was a welcoming, fun affair with music and food, and I also attended a traditional Hmong Dance performance, which I had never experienced before. This year my students will be working with a full palette of colors and a less literal conceptual approach, and I’m looking forward to the rewards and challenges of playing a small part in this year’s “Encounters”.
Cover art description: This artwork is from Encounters 2025 by Jessica Marie Cervanka. “I chose to portray a friend of mine who has often felt unseen throughout her life. She is a 22 year old young black woman who lives with white family members in a white neighborhood, while much of her black family lives far away in another state. Navigating cultural distances has left her disconnected from parts of her identity. Having been diagnosed with dyslexia, she has also faced academic challenges in school and often did not receive the support and accommodations she needed. These experiences have significantly impacted her and left her feeling outcast, with her ability and confidence to thrive in higher education being jeopardized. I chose her because despite these challenges that often go unnoticed by those around her, she continues with resilience and grace.”