image of a man staring out two different ways

An image from the You Are Not Alone exhibit.

A rotating exhibit in Rachel Cooper Hall examines the struggles and triumphs of students.

The newest installment of the exhibit You Are Not Alone is open in the Rachel Cooper Gallery in room 237 of Rachel Cooper Hall.

The exhibit reflects students’ frank conversations in class about everything from family and health to social pressures. Created by students in an Art 336: Graphic Design course, Professor Archana Shekara said the exhibit echoes the ideals of being an artist with a purpose. “Design is a philosophy of life where designers have to empathize and respect the diversity of people they serve,” she said. “The greater purpose of design is to address society’s problems and be a visual voice.”

You Are Not Alone is supported by the Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS) Program. Acting Director Kyle Ciani called the exhibit, housed in the WGS halls at Rachel Cooper, a triumph of spirit. “The designs created by students emphasize the realities of students’ lives and highlight how they recognize their personal traumas but will not be defined by those traumas. It is a beautiful experience to see and hear about their experiences.”

For additional information on You Are Not Alone, contact Shekara at ashekar@ilstu.edu.