The visual arts department and the upper and middle school diversity committees are pleased to invite you to "Identity and Stereotypes," the second Fenn School art exhibition this year. This exhibition will open on November 11 through December 5, 2016 in the Kane Art Gallery.
Through a series of portraits and personal statements, featured artists seek to raise awareness of timely issues, fight stigmas, and share personal stories and insights on bias, stereotypes, and even acceptance. Students designed this concept after contemplating how to use photographs to help share their understanding of identities and social justice with a larger audience. They decided to include, with their portraits, thought-provoking statements that provide a unique avenue for self-expression.
The featured pieces build upon themes discussed throughout the School community in response to a previous Fenn exhibition entitled, "Identity" and the recent School’s Respecting Differences Day. In preparing this exhibition, a committee of students and eight faculty artists identified and examined important topics raised in current events and reflected on how they would challenge themselves and others to think about a variety of social issues differently. The committee introduced this concept during a recent All School Meeting by emphasizing the importance of recognizing various components of a person’s identity and the value of celebrating individuality. Student representatives of Fenn’s diversity committees also addressed some of the challenges of people face when expressing their own individual identity.
Some of the questions explored throughout the "Identity and Stereotypes" exhibition include: What do you feel about who you are, and why? How do others perceive you, and why and how are your affected by their opinions? Discussions related to these questions led to the artists’ initial study of stereotypes and the impact stereotypes have on learning and self-esteem.
The Kane Art Gallery is open on weekdays from 8:30-4:00 pm. It is located at The Fenn School, 516 Monument Street, Concord, MA. For more information about this exhibition, call Tete Cobblah, fine arts coordinator and director of diversity, at (978) 318-3506.