How can the students of Seton Hill University (SHU) affect change? One way is through the “Question Marker Project,” a collaborative effort between the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education (NCCHE), SHU Art Program, and the community.
By Megan Seigh
Staff Writer
How can the students of Seton Hill University (SHU) affect change? One way is through the “Question Marker Project,” a collaborative effort between the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education (NCCHE), SHU Art Program, and the community.
The purpose of the project is to initiate conversations, solutions, and activism relating to history and current events, specifically about genocide. The project focuses on what questions we should ask about current events and history. Students are encouraged to submit questions they have about genocide and history to the NCCHE. Questions are due on March 1 for the first round, but they will continue to be collected for next year’s project.
“We hope it will become a long term project with a marker added each year,” said Wilda Kaylor, the associate director of the NCCHE.
“This project is a great way for students to share their curiosity about the genocide. Many people will be happy with the final result,” said Laura Gonnella, a work-study student at the NCCHE.
Student artists will then be involved in designing and creating markers illustrating the questions submitted by the campus community.
“My students will develop the marker based on the questions. Since the students are mostly sculpturally oriented, the marker will most likely have a strong three dimensional presence. The question literally must be included in the work,” said Pati Beachley, an associate professor of art.
The NCCHE is funding the project. There is a limit on the cost, which will depend on the materials selected to create the marker as well as the cost of the installation.
If the project is successful, then fundraising will be needed for it in the future. There is hope that is will spread across campus and perhaps even to Greensburg.
The first marker will be dedicated on April 23, 2009. As part of the project, student artists will select an appropriate location and will get the necessary clearances.