The Richard F. Brush Art Gallery and the English department are hosting “Dear North Country,” an in-person letter-writing event on Wednesday, February 26, at 7:00 pm in the Noble Center Ireland Lounge. The event is part of an international project called "Make Visible"–an ongoing, community-led project developed by New Zealand artist, curator, and activist Shannon Novak.
The event is part of an international project called Make Visible, an ongoing, community-led project developed by New Zealand artist, curator, and activist Shannon Novak, with the aim to grow support for queer communities worldwide by making visible challenges and triumphs for these communities through the arts.
As part of Make Visible: North Country, Novak has already worked with SLU’s Special Collections in bringing some of the University’s queer past to the present by identifying archival materials and by interviewing current and former faculty, staff, and alumni. Novak has also curated A Taste of Honey, a virtual art exhibit at the Brush Art Gallery.
Prompts for the letter writing event include: what do you wish your friends and neighbors to know about what it is like to be queer at St. Lawrence University and/or in the North Country? What have been some of your highs and lows as a queer person growing up and/or living here? How is being queer in the North Country similar to or different from your place of origin?
People can also write letters online by filling out a survey form, and the option to write a letter anonymously, either in person or online, is also available. Letters will be archived in St. Lawrence University’s Archives and housed in the Library’s Special Collections.
All are welcome: Pizzas and non-alcoholic beverages will be served.
Note: To ensure privacy, cameras and recording devices are not allowed at this event.