A new exhibition co-curated by three museum studies graduate students represents multiple collaborations across the University. It connects current students and alumni; pairs the College of Visual and Performing and Arts (VPA) and the National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC); and uses treasured art from the Syracuse University Libraries archives to create an interesting new military-themed public display.
“Paper Trail: Works by Veteran Photographers, Cartoonists and Sketch Artists,” is on display at the National Veterans Resource Center Gallery, which is managed by VPA’s creative arts therapy program, through Friday, Aug. 2.
Many of the images are from three cartoonist collections held at the Special Collections Research Center. Featured are works by Mort Walker (“Beetle Bailey”), Brad Anderson (“Marmaduke”) and Dave Breger (a World War II cartoonist). Other materials are by Alan Dunn and former students of the military visual journalism program at the Newhouse School of Public Communications: Kenny Holston, Preston Keres, Pablo Piedra, Ethan Rocke and Marianique Santos.
The co-curators, graduate students Ohoud Ibrahim Alfadhli, Upneet Kaur Mair and Katelyn Marie Miller, have all worked on various aspects of the exhibit as NVRC Gallery curatorial assistants.
Jennifer DeLucia, assistant professor and chair of creative arts therapy, has guided the students through the project, which includes cartoons, photography and sketches that convey the complexities of the veteran experience. “As co-curators, students are empowered to take an active role in shaping the narrative and design of the exhibitions,” DeLucia says. “The interdisciplinary partnership between the art therapy and museum studies programs within VPA creates opportunities for unique dialogue as multiple perspectives inform the curatorial work, and students add fresh ideas and a great level of energy and enthusiasm.”
The experience also provides a unique interdisciplinary and experiential learning opportunity. “They are exposed to military culture and history, and that knowledge of military-connected communities will carry with them as they transition into new roles when they graduate, [helping them] address the miliary-civilian divide,” DeLucia says.