Graduate student develops community arts project

Deepu George, a third year Ph.D. student from Kerala, India, has partnered with students and community members to produce a multimedia arts exhibit called "Connections: A Community Arts Project."

The exhibit will open to the public on Tuesday, April 13, in the Graduate Life Center Multipurpose Room.

George is a family therapy major in the Department of Human Development in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. According to George, the goal of the project is to engage the Virginia Tech community in a multimedia, interactive exhibit that combines mediums such as painting, set design, story telling, lighting, sound, and filmmaking. These are used to tell participants a story, after which all are invited to enter the reaction space where the story is discussed as it relates to broader community issues.

“In my training as a therapist I have found art to be a safe and constructive medium that can develop a meaningful dialogue about important issues,” says George.

The production process began in January with a small group of volunteers that have now grown to more than 25 people. According to George, a broad diversity of individuals are involved in this process including five local artists; graduate, undergraduate, and high school students; and Blacksburg community members.

“The process of bringing the community together for a common goal is as important as the exhibit itself,” said George.

George is seeking sponsors through financial donations as well as equipment, to complete the exhibit. Current sponsors include the Graduate Student Assembly, Theater 101, the Department of Human Development, and VT-ENGAGE. For more information or to become a sponsor, contact Deepu George at (540) 808-9182.

Connections will be housed in the Graduate Life Center from April 13-16, then it will move to Theater 101 on April 24 and 25.