GW Students Create Art Inspired by Archives

Each semester, students in Professor Kerry McAleer-Keeler's Screen Printing class (CSA 1702) visit the Special Collections Research Center to view original historical materials for their final project. The final project asked students to create an original print based on an understanding or interpretation of artistic traditions or knowledge of contemporary context inspired by the DC History collections.

Students also research the background history of the topic they select from the archival documents and examine how this research inspired their final screen print project.

Additionally, they have to acquire 7+ properly cited images about their topic and create a 10-minute presentation discussing the historical aspects and connections their materials have to DC’s history and the reason they selected their topic and why they felt it was important to address in art form. 

"The resources of the Library’s Special Collections are exceptional. It is wonderful to be able to bring my students from my print and book classes to the library to see the DC History collections for project inspiration,” said Professor McAleer-Keeler. “The Special Collections staff is exceptional. They have gone out of their way to accommodate and assist me and my students with special project research needs and course viewing requests. It is marvelous to have the Gelman Library’s resources within a short walk."

Below are some selections from the Fall 2022 class.