By Chelsea Reil, News Staff

Northeastern University’s newest building, International Village, will host’ a series of installations from various artists, including Shepard Fairey, the man resposible for Barack Obama’s iconic ‘Hope’ image. The Fairey piece is a 240-square foot mural-style painting of the artist’s wife, Amanda Ayala, which he custom created and donated to the University, according to a press release.
‘Creative expression is a vital part of intellectual exploration,’ President Joseph Aoun said in the release. ‘I want our campus to feature a broad tapestry of artwork that inspires everyone associated with the university ‘- from our students and faculty to visitors just passing by.’
Other exhibits in International Village will be:
‘bull; A first-floor exhibit displaying the school’s Lower Roxbury Oral History Project, which aims to preserve the community’s history.
‘bull; A ‘media-wall’ made of 11 46-inch video screens displaying live and still media from around the world.
‘bull; A series of photographs taken by Northeastern graduate Jessica Scranton during her time with ‘My Sister’s Keeper,’ a volunteer organization that works in the Sudan.
‘bull; Northeastern graduate Michael Ulman’s latest motorcycle sculpture, composed of found objects, which will hang from the first-floor ceiling.
‘bull;’ Animated sculptures created by Professor Edwin Andrews, chair of Northeastern’s Art + Design department, outside the building.
‘bull; Two topographical photos taken by associate professor Julie Curtis, hung opposite each other in one of the stairwells.
‘bull;’ Photographs taken by students on various study abroad programs, hung on the north walls of the lowest floor.
‘Northeastern, in its academic plan, has made a commitment to enhancing student opportunities for creative expression and global exploration,’ said Resident Student Association (RSA) Vice President for Housing Services Matt Soleyn. ‘And with the international theme of our newest building and residence hall, the university has provided an opportunity for global exploration and creative expression to meet with the art displays.’
This installation is part of President Aoun’s arts initiative, including the gallery in Ell Hall and the art displays on the Huntington side of West Village E.
Whitney Pray, a middler international affairs major, said she is excited about the installation.
‘I think that art is a good thing to have on campus because it displays different cultures, ideas and perspectives that are essential to a learning environment, and it makes the campus more diverse,’ she said.
Renata Nyul, director of public relations for the university, said the exhibits will enhance campus.
‘Showcasing various forms of creative expression by different artists, including students, will create an engaging environment for the entire university community,’ she said.
Megan McCormick, a graduate student who also attended the university as an undergraduate, said she has high hopes about the message the university is sending by including the Fairey piece.
‘To think of having a Shepard Fairey mural on campus gives me hope that Northeastern truly wishes to empower the individual through education and give them the means and inspiration to make their voice heard,’ she said. ‘Exposure to art is crucial for education.’