The second floor of the library underwent a noticeable artistic change on Sept. 24.
The previous posters from Seton Hall’s gallery collections and student displays were replaced with a traveling exhibition by Robert Shetterly.
This new exhibition is part of the partnership with the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media on the One College One Exhibition. This traveling exhibit will remain in the library for October, and then the old decor will be restored.
During October, activities to celebrate the works will take place, including its opening reception on Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m.
Assistant Dean for Special Collections and the Gallery, Sarah Ponichtera, provided insight on this new exhibit and the display’s alignment with SHU’s mission.
“This is an initiative to bring together multiple disciplines and initiatives on campus through art, putting them in dialogue with one another,” Ponichtera said.
This exhibit includes over 250 portraits by artist Robert Shetterly. Shetterly will also be at the opening reception to discuss the significance of the pieces.
“We are displaying 45 here at Walsh Library, and there are five more at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), who is also partnering with us on this event,” Ponichtera said.
“This travelling exhibit, titled 'Americans Who Tell the Truth', represents truth-tellers from American history and culture,” Ponichtera said.
Some examples of these portraits include: Martin Luther King Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt, Edward Said, Jonathan Kozol, Shirley Chisolm, and others. These individuals represent those who have fought against injustice and shaped American ideals.
Rashvir Kaur, a student worker in SHU’s archives, commented on the sudden appearance of the portraits in the library.
“At first, I thought it was just another cool exhibition that was put on display, but the closer I looked, it seemed to be of people who stood up for the truth in America,” Kaur said.
These portraits’ appearances are being noticed by students as a different display from what they are used to.
“The exhibition shows every student that this is more than just going to school and learning, because attending college is a privilege that many of the portraits hanging did not have, and they fought for,” Kaur said.
Alaina Pagulayan, a junior psychology student in the B.S./M.D. program, also commented on the appearance of the portraits.
“I thought it was an interesting sight to come back to, and I definitely miss the posters from before, but learning about the historical significance of these portraits is cool,” Pagulayan said.
Each of these portraits display distinct figures that are trailblazers in American history, with each piece on display being a unique representation of our history.
“I was very struck by Harriet Tubman's portrait,” Ponichtera said. There is such urgency in her eyes. I want to spend more time with all of them, though.”
These portraits also align with SHU’s Catholic mission and new Strategic Plan, which invites students to “foster intellectual curiosity and inquiry, where faculty and students pursue discovery and sharing of knowledge to advance human understanding.”
“The theme of ‘Americans Who Tell the Truth’ invites us to learn the values that have guided key figures from history and our own day,” Ponichtera said.
The month-long installation concludes at the end of October, when Walsh Library will return to its original gallery collection.
“[This exhibit] shows that we can take our education and do so much more with it, just like the people who are painted on the portraits,” Kaur said.
Grace Tylee is the head editor for The Setonian’s Social Media. She can be reached at grace.tylee@student.shu.edu
