Stevenson Union
Southern Oregon University
Ashland, OR

“Connecting”

NARRATIVE: THE FIRST SYMBOL THAT COMES TO MY MIND WHEN THINKING OF ASHLAND IS GATEWAY. THE ESSENCE OF SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY’S LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY IS A GATEWAY TO RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP IN THE WORLD COMMUNITY. I WANT THIS PROJECT TO REFLECT, VISUALLY, OUR CONNECTEDNESS INTO THE WHOLE WORLD.

AFTER VISITING THE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS AND MEETING WITH FACULTY AND STUDENTS I REALIZED HOW RICH IN DIVERSITY THE UNIVERSITY IS. THROUGH THESE PAINTINGS I SEEK TO MIRROR OUR CONNECTION TO THE WHOLE WORLD BY PROVIDING A VISUAL GATEWAY INTO OTHER CULTURES UNDERLINING HOW WE ARE CONNECTED THOUGH MUTUAL HUMAN NEED AND DESIRE.

THE STEVENSON UNION IS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE COME TOGETHER FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS. IT IS A CENTER FOR STUDENT LIFE AND ACTIVITIES AND OFFERS NOURISHMENT, FOOD FOR THE MIND AND SPIRIT. AS I THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT REPLENISHES OUR BODIES AND SPIRITS, COUPLED WITH KEYWORDS FOR THIS PROJECT AND THE MISSION STATEMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY THE PAINTINGS CAME ALIVE.


Mary Josephson
2006