Chair/Lead: Karla Jurgemeyer

Members: Jillian Sparks, Ezra Plemons, Shelbie Pleskonko, Joanna Hunt, Jane Becker Nelson

The Problem

Until recently, the artwork in the library lacked diversity in subject matter, artist, culture and all things diversity.

Goals

Our goal is to de-center whiteness in the art that has been displayed in library spaces.

Actions Taken

With the goal of diversifying artwork in relation to the artist’s or subject’s race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and age, and to exposing the broadest range of artists, topics and cultures, we will meet at least annually with our partners in the Flaten Museum and the St. Olaf Department of Art and Art History to curate exhibited materials in the Libraries.

Accomplishments so Far 

1. January 2019 exhibit entitled “Envisioning A Diaspora: Depictions of Black Figures”  featuring a student-curated display of works by Ethiopian, Haitian, and American artists of color.
2. February 2019, faculty curated exhibit featuring Afro-German authors and artists to accompany a campus conference on Diversity, Decolonization and the German Curriculum.
3. Summer 2019, works from artists Candido Bido (Dominican Republic), Terrance Guardipee (Blackfeet Nation), and Mayoreak Ashoona (Canada/Inuit) added to Rolvaag 355 classroom. 4. November 2019, portraits of Agnes Larson and Gertrude Hilleboe added to Rolvaag Reference Room joining paintings of men important to the history of the College.  Accompanied by a well-attended event and pop-up exhibit from the Archives to celebrate the work of these women.
5. February 2021, broadsides from artist and activist LMNOPI’s Uprising Portfolio and the Reentry Bill of Rights: a blueprint for keeping us free by the Reentry Think Tank.