By Maegan Murray, ���سԹ�

RICHLAND, Wash. – Sharing the complete picture of humanity, especially the hard topics, so that one-day she can affect positive change.

That’s the reason photographer and Washington State University Tri-Cities alumna Madison Rosenbaum first picked up a camera. Shedding light on difficult social issues and providing a voice for the unheard is also what led her to document local protests following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota.

The images themselves do the talking, and they allow others to share their own stories, Rosenbaum said.

“There are seven billion people on this planet experiencing the world differently every day,” she said. “If I can provide a glimpse into those experiences for others intentionally or unintentionally seeking to better connect with humanity, then my artistry is serving the purpose I want it to.”

Photography as a catalyst

Rosenbaum said she hopes her photographs of this month help the community mourn the unjust deaths of African Americans, tell the stories of those still experiencing racism and inequality, and serve as a catalyst for positive change.

“As an artist and someone who identifies as white, I want to do better at providing a space for marginalized groups­—for black, indigenous, people of color—to see themselves in art and to have their stories heard,” she said. “I will always be a believer that storytelling through photography can help be the bridge to connecting and understanding someone else’s lived experience with an open mind and open heart.”

Photography, she said, can often shed light on feelings, emotions, actions and even consequences where words may fall short. In her recent photographs of the protests, the portraits display the frustration, grit and pain experienced by many as they held signs stating “Black lives matter,” “I can’t breathe” and “Together we stand.”

“In an age of social media, it is easier than ever to be vocal about social issues,” she said. “I hope those viewing my work are choosing to listen to the stories told by those in the photographs and take their stories to heart. Their experiences are valid and real.”

Building a foundation with education

While she didn’t know it at the time, Rosenbaum said choosing two seemingly unmatched degree programs to double major in at ���سԹ�, digital technology and culture and psychology, helped open her mind to how she could use creativity to shine light on social issues.

Through her digital technology and culture courses, she mastered and refined the skills and techniques that now allow her to capture color, angles, light and emotion in her art, and she learned the power of using art to shine light on important topics. Her psychology courses, she said, provided a foundational understanding of the human mind, and how humans interact and relate.

During her senior year, Rosenbaum was invited by digital technology and culture professor Peter Christenson to participate in the “Women artists from the Columbia Valley” exhibition, which featured 64 contemporary female artists and their work. As part of her submission for the exhibition, Rosenbaum collaborated with two other artists on images of mental health, and specifically her personal journey with depression.

“They were self-portraits that we each helped one another construct and produce,” she said. “Being in front of the camera as a model exploring something incredibly vulnerable was difficult, but I realized it was an outlet to discuss something that I was passionate about and often did not have the words for. It was the first step for me in understanding storytelling through photography and an experience I keep in mind always as I help others explore theirs.”

Telling stories

After that first exhibition, Rosenbaum began producing and participating in other photography and art projects that helped shed light on social, emotional and political topics.

She organized ���سԹ�’ first student-curated photo exhibition, which featured artist-submitted works on the topics of domestic and sexual violence, social injustice, racism, sexuality and inequality. She said while it made some people uncomfortable, it was well received by individuals who stated that it helped them explore hard to discuss topics.

After graduating from ���سԹ� in 2015, she expanded upon a series of photographs she began as a student called “,” which features dozens of individual portraits and stories that explore vulnerabilities of humankind and examine sociopolitical barriers through an artistic lens. She began another series titled “” on what life is like as an immigrant in 21^st century America, as well as a series specifically detailing struggles with mental health called “.”

In March of this year, amid the COVID-19 health crisis, she began a series detailing individuals’ experiences from home and those who work on the frontlines in healthcare titled “.” The series features individuals from the Tri-Cities area, as well as others who live around the world. Many said they wanted to participate because they wanted to share their personal experiences, and also as a way to connect while everyone feels so isolated.

“When Madison asked me if I would be interested in participating in the project, my family and I [had recently] experienced a tragedy and I wanted to share a realization,” said Carina León, a participant in the project. “My life has suddenly become more precious, and I want to be more conscious of the moments I have with myself and with my loved ones.”

“I participated in ‘Tales from Home’ because I wanted to give people the perspective of someone in the heart of the pandemic, one of the largest metropolitan hotspots in the world,” said Maximilian VonderMehden, a ���سԹ� alumnus and a nurse in Los Angeles. “I wanted to give some perspective that even if the disease isn’t ‘right at your doorstep,’ what we’re all doing still matters, still plays a part, and is still essential.”

Using art to open eyes

Rosenbaum said while some of her projects may make people uncomfortable, it is for the purpose of positive change, and it has helped to open her eyes to her own inherent thoughts and emotions.

“I want to challenge viewers and their biases,” she said. “I want to challenge my own views and biases. These stories have changed my life. I have become more educated about the histories and cultures and experiences of marginalized groups. I have become an advocate in my community. My work to dismantle white supremacy and examining my white privilege is a constant journey, but I am trying every day and in every story I share.”

Photography, Rosenbaum said, is a way to not only express herself, but to express the thoughts, emotions, struggles and triumphs of others.

“We can all be agents of change,” she said. “Blog. Write. Sing. Create. Photograph. Draw. Paint. No matter your craft, do it with intention.”

To view Rosenbaum’s work, visit .

RICHLAND, Wash. – Washington State University Tri-Cities undergraduate students will display semester and course research and art projects as part of the Undergraduate Research Symposium and Art Exhibition April 30 – May 3.

Sessions will take place from noon – 1 p.m. each day, Tuesday through Friday, in Consolidated Information Center (CIC) 120. The fine arts session will also take place noon – 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, in the ���سԹ� art gallery in the CIC.

“Throughout the symposium and art exhibition, students have the opportunity to share their research and art projects, and to practice communicating their work to people outside their area of study,” said Allison Matthews, clinical assistant professor of psychology and coordinator for the symposium.

“This event also highlights the development of research and creative skills through their coursework, as well as undergraduate student involvement in WSU’s larger research initiatives to advance knowledge and pursue discovery,” she said.

Academic areas highlighted during the symposium include: anthropology, sociology, political science, English, biology, digital technology and culture, fine arts, computer science, history, psychology and engineering.

Some of the projects featured during the event include:

• Investigating the Effects of Nutrient Addition on Mycorrhizal Colonization of Grassland Plants
• The development of a Solid Liquid Interface Monitor (SLIM) – the design, of which, has potential to one-day be implemented at the Hanford Site to create three-dimensional scans of waste in Hanford tanks
• A remote-controlled, small-scale airplane that was entered into the SAE Aero Design Competition
• The design of an application that visualizes location-enabled cabs in a map interface, selects the trips from a common list and assigns them to the perfect driver or car to maximize a driver’s profit
• An empirical assessment of an undergraduate teaching assistant training program
• Advanced drawing and sculpture projects from throughout the spring semester

For more information, contact Matthews at 509-372-7146 or almatthews@wsu.edu.

By Maegan Murray, ���سԹ�

RICHLAND, Wash. – Students will highlight semester course projects, research and art as part of the fall Undergraduate Research Symposium and Art Exhibition on Dec. 11 and 13 at Washington State University Tri-Cities.

Members of the public are invited to attend as students present on their projects, which include the areas of history, political science, psychology, wine science, biology, fine art, English, mechanical engineering and environmental science.

Students will present posters of their research and course projects both days from noon – 1 p.m. in CIC 120. The art exhibition will be held from noon – 1 p.m. on Dec. 13, in the CIC Art Gallery.

“The Undergraduate Research Symposium and Art Exhibition provides our students with an excellent opportunity to practice communicating their research and course projects, which is an essential skill for when they go out into the professional environment,” said Allison Matthews, ���سԹ� clinical assistant professor of psychology. “We have a variety of great projects that will be on display.”

Some of the projects include:

• Research on plant-mycorrhizal fungal interactions
• Research on public health education programs for people who are at-risk for developing Type 2 diabetes
• An analysis of data from the Tri City Union Gospel Mission regarding client demographics, factors that influence homelessness and other related variables
• Investigating heat transfer on a surface subject to nanoparticle coating
• Nutrient limitation of algal and microbial biofilms in the Yakima Watershed
• The effect of pesticides on algal and microbial biofilms
• Cluster architecture and fruit composition as influenced by rachis tipping in wine grapes
• Title IX in regard to procedures on campus
• The Plastic Garden – a fine arts and engineering collaboration to construct a moving mechanical garden made of plastic and mechanical components

Media contacts:

Allison Matthews, ���سԹ� assistant professor of psychology, 509-372-7146, almatthews@wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, ���سԹ� public relations specialist, 509-372-7333, maegan_murray@wsu.edu

By Maegan Murray, ���سԹ�

RICHLAND, Wash. – A master papermaker will join the Washington State University Tri-Cities community Oct. 15-18 to offer workshops and a public lecture in the therapeutic art of hand papermaking as part of what is known as the “Peace Paper Project.”

The Peace Paper Project is an international organization of hand papermakers, art therapists, social activists and fine artists. The organization uses hand papermaking across the globe to improve the lives of survivors of trauma and loss through the traditional practice of hand papermaking.

Master papermaker Drew Matott will hold a public lecture from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 16, in the Floyd Atrium on the art of hand papermaking and the goals of his Peace Paper Project. There is no cost to attend.

Matott will also lead several free workshops and sessions with the following student and campus groups during the week:

• Veteran students will recycle their old uniforms into paper from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 15 in the Student Union Building
• Members of the Dreamers and MEChA clubs will recycle migrant farming clothing and other fabric-based items into paper from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 15, in the Student Union Building
• International students and their cultural learning partners will make paper together on Tuesday, Oct. 16, from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• The community is invited to bring their own fabric to make paper from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 16-18, in the Student Union Building
• Matott will also work with a variety of classes and other student groups at various times throughout the four days as a means to show how the traditional art of hand papermaking is accomplished and is used as a therapeutic practice
  

  The Peace Paper Project often works with military veterans to hand-make paper out of old uniforms as a therapeutic process.

“We are very excited to have the Peace Paper Project on campus,, especially as it provides a creative avenue for our students to learn resiliency as they cope with change,” said Jana Kay Lunstad, director of enrollment and campus registrar. “Art has the power to heal. Our hope is that our students will connect with a practice that allows them to share their stories with their families, friends and other individuals dealing with difficult loss and trauma.”

Since 2011, the Peace Paper Project has set up more than 40 collaborating studios worldwide and has made paper with more than 30,000 survivors.

For more information on the Peace Paper Project, visit .