We Love Having You Here

Curated by 2022-23 Arthur E. Klauser Fellows Ian Brundige and Alyssa Flory, We Love Having You Here: Expressions of Identity in DePauw’s Art Collection uses objects within DePauw’s various collections to explore expressions of gender and sexuality as they relate to personal and communal identities.

This exhibit would not be possible without the support of the Galleries at Peeler staff. We give special thanks to Christie Anderson, Registrar of University Exhibitions and Collections; Jerry Bates, Gallery Preparator; Misti Scott, Administrative Assistant and Outreach and Programs Manager for Peeler Art Center; and Alexandra Chamberlain, mentor, organizer, and friend.

And many other academic and social supports across campus that made this body of work possible.

Identity is a constant process of discovering, defining, revealing, and defying parts of ourselves.

Every day, we face a series of decisions:

What to watch? What to eat? What to wear?

These daily decisions make up our individual expressions of identity. The everyday encounters with our screens, fridges, clothing racks, and closets say something about us as people. Through an active shaping of style and the inherent behaviors of existing, we leave impressions on one another.

These routines of self-fashioning can often fade into the background of life. Through this exhibition, however, we suggest that within these interactions there is capacity for the spectacular, the different, and even the queer.

WE LOVE these groundbreaking, caring, unexpected, complex, exciting, disruptive, emotional, epic, and honest moments. AND just as you are, just as you look and dress and choose to be:

WE LOVE HAVING YOU HERE.

Community label contributors:

Samuel Autman (he, him, his), assoc. prof. of English at DePauw University

Jeannette Johnson-Licon (JJL), Associate Dean of Student Success and Coordinator of LGBTQ+ Services

Sarah Ryan (she/they), Women’s Center Director

Laurel (Lore) Tilton (they/them), Assist. Director Tenzer Technology Center

Natalia Vargas Márquez (she/her) PhD., visiting assistant professor of art history