College of Public Programs Art exhibition calls attention to social issues

June 06, 2006

ASU's College of Public Programs has reserved 95 spaces at its new home in the University Center, located at 411 N. Central Ave. in Phoenix, for a student-organized art project called “For Our Eyes.”<separator></separator>Malissa Geer, a student in the American Humanics national certificate program, developed the idea and mobilized a group of students from the program, many of whom are artists themselves.<separator></separator>The American Humanics national certificate program trains students for careers in nonprofit management.<separator></separator>The project aims to provide a glimpse of the social issues confronted daily by the social service agencies and nonprofits in the downtown Phoenix community, since these issues mirror the college's dedication to knowledge-based social and economic change.<separator></separator>The college's educational and research programs span the fields of social work, public affairs, and community resources and development.<separator></separator>The programs are tied together by a sense of urgency that the region and the world have the capacity for even greater prosperity, justice and quality of life for all.<separator></separator>The project organizers will locate the art in public areas that are near the researchers and faculty members working on projects related to the issues represented.<separator></separator>The students' long-term plan is to incorporate student art from Phoenix and Glendale Union High School districts and eventually use the center's parking lot during the “First Fridays” art exhibits for art that portrays urban social issues.<separator></separator>Anyone working or volunteering with relevant organizations is invited to submit art that tells the story of the group's mission.<separator></separator>This is an opportunity to engage the more than 2,500 students, faculty, staff and visitors to the new Downtown Phoenix campus through a visual representation expressed by clients, staff or ongoing art program.<separator></separator>All art will need to be complete, framed and ready for the exhibit no later than July 31. Two- and three-dimensional art will be displayed. There will be space next to each piece to share a narrative about the art, the artist, the issue or the submitting agency.<separator></separator>Space is limited. For more information, contact Geer at (602) 367-0895 or (malissa.geer@asu.edu).