News Story
March 30, 2016
La Roche College Students to Present “This is Cuba” Photography Exhibit
PITTSBURGH, March 30, 2016 – This April La Roche University will debut an exhibit of student photography developed as part of a recent study abroad experience in Cuba.
The exhibit, titled “This is Cuba,” is a photo-narrative study of the culture and lives of the people of Havana. The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, will run from April 10 to 18 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Cantellops Art Gallery at La Roche’s main campus in the North Hills. An opening night celebration will be held on April 11 from 5 to 7 p.m.
“This is Cuba” will explore Cuban culture through the perspective of La Roche students who participated in Special Topics in Graphic Design: Cuba, a travel course offered as part of La Roche’s Study Abroad+Study USA program. The exhibit will examine several topic areas: art and culture; history and revolution; tourism and food culture; and education and sports. Written narratives and excerpts of dialogue with Cuban people will accompany the photography.
“Through our travel experience, we were able to explore places, meet people, ask questions and get a glimpse into the lives of the people and places around Havana. We had enriching educational encounters, shared experiences and gained new perspectives throughout our journey,” Assistant Professor Miranda Hall stated. “We learned about a culture full of warmth, surprises, complexity and contrasts. The exhibition will share the journey of the students through the narratives about their experiences with the people, places and culture of Havana.”
The nine-day travel course, offered from March 4 to 12, provided a direct cultural experience that introduced La Roche students to Cuba’s history, people, language, religion, cuisine, art and architecture. Students engaged in dialogue with Cubans and visited significant places to further develop their understanding of Cuban history and culture. Using photography as the primary medium, students created a visual narrative that documented and communicated various components of Cuban life.
Student Adam Yuras, of Uniontown, Pa., said, “Cuba was beautiful. From what I could tell, the people are very kind. It felt very harmonious, and that’s probably what I liked the best – not just the way people interact, but the way that everything was made for everyone to interact and the way that Havana is structured.”
The Study Abroad+Study USA program is a value-added component of a La Roche education. Included in the cost of tuition, the program allows students to travel internationally or domestically at little or no additional cost. Students only are responsible for incidentals such as passport fees, visas and souvenirs. For more information about study abroad options at La Roche, contact Nicole Gable, Study Abroad+Study USA coordinator, at nicole.gable@laroche.edu or 412-536-1022.
About La Roche University: A private liberal arts college in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, six graduate degree programs and one doctorate program, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, and health and medical sciences, as well as interior design and graphic design. This residential college provides a vibrant campus community for more than 1,500 men and women enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.
###