Harrisonburg is a multicultural city where people with different roots are unified to create a community filled with acceptance and respect. On October 24, “The Opening Doors” were introduced to students and faculty with a kickoff event at Thomas Plaza. All of the doors were created by local artists to illustrate how inclusion and diversity look in different areas such as disabilities, race, gender, and community involvement.
The Arts Council of the Valley made the creation of each of the doors possible, and Edwin Lehman, facilities manager, was the person in charge of getting the doors on campus. The kickoff event explained the importance of the diversity shown through these doors and the reasons why each door would be placed in a specific place on campus. The long-awaited doors were scheduled to arrive for the Homecoming weekend to be enjoyed by returning alumni and current students visited by their loved ones. However, as Tyler Goss stated, “unexpected challenges” transporting the doors delayed the arrival. Once they arrive on campus people will be able to find them all through campus.
There are 17 doors that will be placed around campus upon arrival. In University Commons, “More than a sign” by Jerry Holsopple will be located near admissions because it celebrates a welcoming space which is the main objective of the admissions office when welcoming new students into campus. Going up the stairs, “Fragrant tea” by Pat Augsburger is going to be strategically located at Common Grounds (Student Union) because the door reflects on the importance of sharing a cup of tea where deep and meaningful conversations take place. By walking a little more, students will be able to find “Interactions of Joy” by Emily Quesenberry & Turner Ashby High School students. This door celebrates the inclusivity of the Student Life division and the playful colors go well with the atmosphere of the room area.
At the library, “Cultivating Connection” by Rosie Clark, is specially designed to create welcoming spaces for the deaf and blind. As a consequence, Marci Frederick, the librarian, had a couple of ideas to make the door more impactful for students by placing it near to a special book exhibit that addresses inclusivity topics or, if possible, books in braille. A similarly-themed door is “Touch this Sunset” by Lana Lambers, an interactive door of a sunset made in braille to allow people to experience the sunset through the touch. The idea behind this door is that no one should be missing the beauty of a sunset, one of the best features Harrisonburg offers.
Inclusivity is a topic illustrated in “Community,” a door that focuses especially on LGBTQ+ inclusion, and it is expected to be located in Roselawn. Another door that aims to celebrate all individuals and identities is “Beauty in bloom,” a colorful door designed by Alexandra Thompson decorated with flowers of all colors of the rainbow; it is expected to be located in the Lehman Auditorium to celebrate the way the music department creates spaces for inclusivity. Furthermore, The art center will be adding a piece of art by adding the door “A story of Inclusion” by Kathleen Mitchell Johnston, which combines different shapes and colors with creative layers and allows the viewer to create their personal stories of inclusion.
Diversity and variety of backgrounds is shown through “City of ships;” the thought is to have it located in the education department. This door was made by children from different Harrisonburg elementary schools to celebrate children under Harrisonburg’s education system, showing who the children’s identities are. “Circle Dance Invitation at Mount LoveMore” by David Cowardin is most likely to be located near JAMAR (a library classroom), this door celebrates the various backgrounds and identities coming together to dance. Two hands trying to connect are shown in “Outreach” by Elliott Downs, a door inspired by the image of community helping each other despite the differences, this door is planned to be faced against the lights between the Gallery and the Theater. “Playtime” by Justin Poole is expected to be located by the Japanese Maple tree near the fountain since children enjoy playing there. The door has an image of a child climbing up a tree and it celebrates children from different cultures playing together.
“Golden maternity,” by Sydney Hunter & Alex Hazard, a door that seeks to “recognize women who are underserved by current policies,” is going to be placed near the nursing department because it is an image of a soon-to-be-mother that represents the need of mothers to be supported and cared for by society. On the theme of mothers, “Our Lady of Guadalupe” by Maria McIntyre is “a symbol of class, identity, and faith.” It is expected to be located in Martin Chapel, known to be a space where racial and class injustice awareness is emphasized.
Entering the Science center, near the taxidermy and critters, “Our little World” by Laura Thompson is hoped to be the first thing the students will see when going to their classes. The diversity of animals represents human diversity and the structure of the tree represents the community’s support for diversion of cultures. In the same building, going to the engineering department, “Gateway” by Christopher Michael, is a door shaped as a bridge used as a metaphor to represent the connections people can build by “crossing a bridge.”
Anyone who feels that these doors have been an inspiration and want to be part of a bigger cause can support the art with donations through the official page of the Arts Council of the Valley (valleyarts.org).
