Won't You Be My Neighbor?
Curated by Michael Bernard Stevenson Jr. and Cassandra Bull
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Reception: August 30, 4-7pm
Artist Talk: Michael Bernard Stevenson Jr. August 29, 5pm, BMH 106C
Won't You be my Neighbor? was conceived by Stevenson, who wanted to break down the divide between Alfred University/ Alfred State College and permanent Alfred community members through the making of art. Both Stevenson & Bull regard their college experiences as being significantly enhanced and molded by interacting with residents beyond the academic structure. At its core, Won't You Be My Neighbor? pairs current Allegany county residents with student or recently graduated artists practicing in the Alfred region. Throughout the summer, over fifty paired community members and artists spent time forming relationships; together sharing stories, learning about each other's lives, and ultimately coming to regard each other as friends and neighbors. The artists created artworks collaboratively about/with/for their new "neighbor" which commemorate the summer experience - on display at the Cohen Gallery.
