Art installation, colloquium to spotlight local childhood food insecurity

An artist's reception for Waring-Crane's exhibit titled "empty" will be held Tuesday, Jan. 14 from 5 - 6 p.m. in the rotunda of the university's Zapara School of Business where the exhibit is installed. Waring-Crane's colloquium talk and a panel discussion will be held the same evening at 5:15 p.m. in Troesh Conference Center. Admission to both events is free.

The thought-provoking installation features 504 handmade ceramic spoons suspended from a wooden framework, each inscribed with the word 'empty.' Each spoon represents 10 elementary school children - more than 5,000 qualify for the federally-assisted free lunch program in Riverside's Alvord Unified School District. The project speaks to childhood hunger's often unseen challenges and emphasizes community action's importance, notes Waring-Crane.

"Visual storytelling that takes up space compels viewers to engage with stark numbers." -- Rebecca Waring-Crane, artist

In her colloquium presentation, Waring-Crane will discuss her creative process, inspiration, and collaboration with the Riverside community. A panel discussion will bring forward the insights of regional experts in the areas of poverty and food insecurity. Attendees will also learn how art can catalyze social change and community awareness and how to become involved in a larger future community installation. Tentatively slated for March, the collaborative arts activity and exhibit builds upon the January installation and will be titled "Article 24" in reference to a United Nations declaration on the rights of the child.

The impetus for Waring-Crane's focus on the damaging effects of hunger through the "empty" exhibit is rooted in her reading of the Pulitzer prize-winning book "Demon Copperhead." It tells the poignant story of a boy's difficult, poverty-stricken childhood and determination to survive. Inspired to understand present-day challenges, Waring-Crane set about researching childhood food insecurity and poverty issues in the area, resulting in the poignant artistic representation with ceramic spoons.

"Visual storytelling that takes up space compels viewers to engage with stark numbers, that are hard to grasp and easy to dismiss, in powerful and visceral ways that call them to meaningful action," Waring-Crane said.

Waring-Crane is recognized for her installation and sculptural work. She exhibits in traditional galleries and in non-traditional spaces. She grew up in Takoma Park, Maryland and holds a Bachelor of Science in elementary education, a master's degree in English and communication, and an MFA in studio art. Before arriving to Riverside in 2008 she lived in Beirut, Nairobi, and South Bend, Indiana.

La Sierra University and the Zapara School of Business are located at 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside. For further information about the art installation reception and colloquium, contact Lovelyn Razzouk at the Zapara School of Business at [email protected].

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