Layers of Self: Visual Narratives of Teaching
2025 Art in the Libraries Graduate Student Exhibit Awardee
Curator: Franny Perez-Ramirez, PhD student, College of Applied Human Sciences and Educational Theory and Practice
Location: WVU Downtown Library Graduate Commons
Dates: Fall 2025 - Spring 2026
Talk: Oct. 21, 4pm
This exhibition presents a series of collages based on a qualitative research study that explores how the lived experiences, beliefs, and backgrounds of graduate teaching assistants shape their teaching philosophies. Each piece interprets identity maps and narrative statements created by participants, combining digital and hand-crafted visuals with short narrative excerpts. Through imagery, color, and texture, Layers of Self highlights themes of culture, belonging, identity negotiation, and pedagogy—revealing teacher identity as dynamic, contextual, and deeply personal.