Arts and Entertainment

Penn State Fayette hosts 'What Were You Wearing?' survivor art installation

The exhibit opens to the community on Oct. 1

LEMONT FURNACE, Pa. — In observation of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus will display the “What Were You Wearing?” Survivor Art Installation from Oct. 1 to 31 in the Williams Building.

The installation, created by Jen Brockman and Mary Wyandt-Hiebert at the University of Arkansas in 2013, will feature stories from survivors of sexual violence — women, men and children — and clothing representing what each was wearing at the time of the incident. The project was inspired by the poem “What I Was Wearing” by Mary Simmerling.

“The exhibit is intense and uncomfortable, but it is something that must be brought to light if we have any hope in stopping and preventing future sexual assaults, harassment incidents and domestic violence,” said Rebecca Johnson, student life coordinator at Penn State Fayette. “The exhibit carries a impactful message and seeks to shatter the notion that sexual assault victims are to blame because of what they were wearing.”

Penn State Fayette has partnered with Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA to present the installation. “What Were You Wearing?” is open to students, faculty, staff, and the community from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information, contact Student Affairs at 724-430-4271.

Last Updated September 30, 2019

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