What Does it
Mean to Care?

In conjunction with the annual fundraising event for the Kent State University Child Development Center's scholarship fund, I partnered with Dr. Casey Y. Myers, Coordinator of Studio and Research Arts, and children from four rooms to interpret their answers to the question: What does it mean to care? As an intro panel explained, “This exhibit is the result of a curricular priority on multiple modes of ‘care’, of our careful observation of the ways in which ‘caring’ is conceptualized and practiced within our school community, and of the time and effort spent to garner children’s perspectives on their own school experiences through interviews, group discussions, visual representations, and artistic collaborations.” The panels were a distillation of children’s quotes, paintings and teachers’ practice stories. I can say, without a doubt, this was my all-time favorite collaboration.

Creative Directors: 
Dr. Casey Y. Myers, Coordinator of Studio and Research Arts,
and the children of the
Kent State University
Child Development Center
Client: Kent State University Child Development Center

What Does it Mean to Care? — Heart

“Caring” as expanding social relationships. (Room 1)

What Does it Mean to Care? — Hands

“Caring” as interpersonal responsibility. (Room 9)

What Does it Mean to Care? — Fish

“Caring” as an expression of love and longing. (Room 3)

  

“Caring” as stewardship of shared spaces. (Room 9)

What Does it Mean to Care? — Hourglass

“Caring” as investment in meaningful work. (Room 6)