Montana State University Billings Assistant Professor of Education Dr. Melanie Reaves, alongside two local educators, Amanda Sanders and Mark Sanders, will present “Our Creed, Our Community? Educators Navigating the Sociocultural Waters of Living Rural,” an artist reception and distinguished scholars talk on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., an open reception will be held in the pass-through area of the Northcutt Steele Gallery. Following the reception, the event will move to Library Room 148 for the distinguished scholars talk at 6 p.m.

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kaleidoscope reality by Amanda Sanders

“Our Creed, Our Community? Educators Navigating the Sociocultural Waters of Living Rural” is a grant-funded research project focused on exploring the role of culture and social creed in the lives of educators living in rural areas of Montana. Two educators used art and writing to explore their experiences and discovered multiple sites of self, and even at times competing identities that are in a continual state of becoming. Using first-hand experiences, the project touches on a few key elements for a successful transition into what may seem a difficult situation.

All are invited to experience the art and writings of these two educators from rural Montana who set out on a journey to know who they are as educators, community members, and humans in relation to the cultures where they lived and worked.  After viewing the art and writings, the community can contribute thoughts about their own sites of self, or identities, and their overall reactions on the project in the voting booth at the exhibit.

The art exhibit will remain open for viewing in the Northcutt Steele Gallery through Nov. 29. The gallery is located on the first floor of the Liberal Arts Building on the MSU Billings campus. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Funding for this project made available through a Creative and Research Endeavors (CARE) Grant at MSU Billings.