Ball State students and faculty in the School of Art’s Visual Communication program were honored to participate in the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies first art exhibition for the 2021 Biennial Benjamin V. Cohen Peace Conference.

A note from Christine L. Satory (Organizer)

What an opportunity! For the past month, my illustration students, my colleague Lynette K. Waters-Whitesell, and I wrestled with soul-searching questioning and passionate discussions inherent in activist art. Our conversations were deep, thought-provoking, and insightful as we worked together developing personal perspectives worthy of expressing. We struggled with self-doubt. We encouraged each other. And through respectful dialogue, we realized each of us had something unique to say.

Once we chose our topics—firm in our convictions why these were important to convey—we began translating our ideas into artwork. That meant answering numerous artistic questions: What format best expresses the concept—two-dimensional or three-dimensional? What size will the artwork be? What type of medium will be used? What colors and images best depict the idea? How will these elements be arranged? Will viewers understand the artwork? And, how can we make our art better?

We experimented, failed, laughed, sighed, critiqued each other’s artwork, and tried again. We grew brave enough to reveal our vulnerabilities. Confident enough to express our convictions. Through trial and error—and encouragement of each other—our art evolved into the pieces displayed in this exhibition.

During this process, something amazing happened: In our efforts to become activist artists, we embraced our shared humanity and became a beloved community.

We hope you enjoy this exhibition, and that this artwork advances the conversation Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. began.

I want to thank Dr. Lawrence H. Gerstein, Director of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, Ms. Tenzin Youden, Curator and website developer of this exhibition, and The Board of Directors of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, for giving us this opportunity to become artist activists for Building a Beloved Community.

Christine L. Satory