This art mural was outlined and painted by Betsy Z. Casanas and numerous Villanova community members during the University’s first-annual Inclusion Week (September 27, 2022—October 1, 2022.) The Inclusion Week Mural Celebration was sponsored by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department of the Villanova University Student Government Association. If you haven’t seen the finished project, stop by the West Campus basketball courts on your next visit to campus.

Like the design? Joanne Quinn, Director of Communication and Marketing, crafted a wallpaper of the colorful cat for your smartphone:

By Anna Jankowski

This year marked the inaugural Inclusion Week at Villanova University. The series, which ran from Sept. 27-Oct. 1, was sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) in partnership with many groups on campus. In honor of the series, the Center for Access, Success and Achievement (CASA)  and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) invited students to an “Art and Identity” painting event on Thursday, Sept. 30 in the Idea Lab (ground floor of Falvey Memorial Library). This painting event was one of the final events of the week, which celebrated the various intersecting identities on campus.

Students learned about how identity closely impacts art and how we may not be conscious of the ways that art is all around us. Public art on campus includes The Awakening, also known as the “Oreo,” as well as St. Augustine’s Students in front of the St. Augustine Center. Students learned and discussed the differences between these two art pieces on campus in terms of interaction with the pieces and their significance to our community.

During this Courageous Conversation workshop, students were able to create their own art projects linked to their unique identities. First, students took a close-up selfie of one eye, and then they sat down to sketch their own eye on a canvas. Next, students picked various symbols or drawings to represent their experiences and identities. Some students chose the Spotify logo, and some chose flags of countries from which they originate. Some students represented their major through a beaker full of chemicals.

Each student interpreted the project in a different way! No two eyes looked alike.

This was a great way to cap off Villanova’s Inclusion Week and to celebrate the various individual intersecting identities at Villanova.

You can see these art pieces displayed on the first floor of the library from October to November. Take a closer look to see if your own identity resonates with any of the pieces displayed!

Anna Jankowski CLAS ’23 is a Junior Communication Major from the Baltimore area who ​​works as a Communication & Marketing Assistant in Falvey Memorial Library.

In honor of Villanova University’s Inclusion Week, the Center for Access, Success and Achievement (CASA) is inviting students to an Art and Identity Painting Event on Thursday, Sept. 30 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Idea Lab (ground floor of Falvey Memorial Library).

At this event, students will get a chance to create art that reflects their identity, culture, or experience at Villanova. There will be an opportunity for the art to be displayed in Falvey Memorial Library after the event. Art History Professor Jeanne Brody will talk about the role of public art, identity, and representation. Refreshments will be provided!

NO PRIOR ART EXPERIENCE NEEDED! This event is ACS-approved and CASA academic credit-eligible. ​

Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f4ca8a72ca6f49-casa1

What is Inclusion Week?

This year marks the inaugural Inclusion week at Villanova University. The series, which runs from Sept. 27-Oct. 1, is being sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) in partnership with many groups on campus.

According to its mission statement, “the Inclusion Week Initiative aims to create awareness for identity and advocacy-based organizations, identify resource centers on campus, promote diversity and inclusion education in and out of the classroom, and build a comfortable environment on campus for students of different backgrounds. Our guiding pillars of Diversity, Unity, and Empowerment remind us that inclusion is, and always will be, DUE on our campus. Through the power of education and celebration, Inclusion Week is a time to grow individually and as a community.” Please see their full list of events here.

Be sure to get involved in these events be a part of this important initiative on campus!

Regina Duffy is Communication and Marketing Program Manager at Falvey Memorial Library.