This term’s Resist Violence project called Breakthrough was the best yet. Although we had a very small group, the content was rich and the work that was made was very powerful. Highlights of the event included the performance art project about sexual assault done by Theatre student Claudia Benko and the work done by a team of students working to change stereotypical and harmful views on mental illness. This exhibit had the best attendance (having over 80 students and staff pass through the exhibit to exchange and look at the work). The review in the Plant, and buzz around our department and others proved very encouraging. Responses recorded in our exhibit booklet often gave insight to peoples reaction to the works, some were even brought to tears in regards to what they witnessed, and mentioned this to us.

Also, work made in the class for the exhibit had spillover into other classes, and many of the students found links to what they were doing with other class content, or projects and got other students they knew involved. We had a number of great additions to the exhibit that came from past English projects, or the integration of knowledge and research came from other courses they had been taking in their own disciplines. What a great collaboration. It would also be worth mentioning that many in the group will likely be submitting a version of their project to SPACE and other initiatives around the college.

Empowerment, learning and engagement were experienced by all.