New Exhibit: Fragments of Appreciation and Aspiration

Fragments of Appreciation and Aspiration: Bridging Today's Appreciations and Tomorrow's Possibilities  is a multimedia exploration of identity, memory, community, and hope. Developed in collaboration with The Studio Museum in Harlem and the Justice-in-Education Initiative, this exhibition reflects the creative output of a seven-week series focused on artmaking, personal self-care, and collective wellness.

Through a process of visual inquiry and speculative artmaking, incarcerated participants and JIE volunteers engaged with key works from the Studio Museum’s permanent collection. Drawing inspiration from visionary artists including Derrick Adams, Benny Andrews, Wardell Milan, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Mickalene Thomas, Romare Bearden, and Betye Saar, each artwork bridges present realities with the visualization of flourishing alternative futures.

By layering mixed-media collages, observational paintings, text, and assemblages, participants used a myriad of art materials to transform personal narratives into visual monuments. 

This exhibition  invites you to witness these layered stories, celebrate what we cherish in the present, and explore the visionary worlds mapped out for tomorrow. It is curated and designed by Kate Scott, Library Associate and MA/K-12 Init. Cert. Candidate, Art & Art Education, who began volunteering with Justice-in-Education in the Spring of 2026. Special thanks to Laura Betancur, Mia Ruyter, and all of the JIE Workshop Participants.

Where: First Floor

When:  In Three Parts throughout the Fall Semester, with accompanying book display

Opening Talk: Thursday,  September 17, 4-5pm (104b Russell)

Poster Image: Self Portrait, Artist Unknown.