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Chautauqua County, NY - The artist responds to, reflects upon, interacts with, and
sometimes is a catalyst for change in his or her social and natural environments.
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More than the mere "decorator" of living and work spaces, the artist plays a critical role in society: The artist creates new
concepts, ways of perceiving, thinking and being. He or she is challenged to take up the raw material of life itself, play with and manipulate the elements.
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Conceptual artist Valerie Walawender of Dunkirk has accepted this challenge. Through an arduous twenty year quest for understanding herself and others, her
unique art form has emerged. It has both social significance and personal meaning for many. A simple, yet engaging conceptual sculpture called Faces In The Crowd is the centerpiece for a diversity and
sensitivity development workshop series Ms. Walawender has developed.
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The Faces In The Crowd kit is an interactive diversity and sensitivity development kit. The kit contains multi-cultural masks, pop-up
books, mirrors, and multi-cultural faces cards. Also included are twelve interactive workshops focusing on issues surrounding gender, race, age, religious understanding, culture, 'lookism', discrimination, sexual
harassment, bias, stigma, social behavior and personal development. Individual participants have the opportunity to explore their assumptions, beliefs and attitudes while increasing their sensitivity and tolerance
towards others.
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Faces in the Crowd Workshops have been presented to Comell University Institute for Labor Relations, Rich Products management staff, the Beverly Hills
Holiday Inn, the Chautauqua County Department of Probation, the American Society of Training and Development, SUNY at Fredonia students, and students and teachers from various local elementary, middle school, and
high schools.
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The markets for the Faces In The Crowd Program continue to expand. Recent inquiries include a correctional facility, a business school, and a medical services
provider. Ms. Walawender sees even more possibilities. "As individuals learn to 'see' and perceive from a different perspective, they can grow in their capacity for empathy and compassion, self-acceptance and
positive alternative behaviors," she comments
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Art can do more than intersect with life. As demonstrated by the Faces In The Crowd kit and workshops, new art forms can open possibilities for humanity in
positive and unexpected ways, In awakening the creative spirit, our deeper dreams are given a voice and vision.
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