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The Adventure Seed
The idea for the avatar art exhibit was sparked during the Fall 2022 semester at Western Nevada College (WNC). Students in Dr. Jennifer Verive’s college readiness classes were given an assignment that integrated gaming culture and positive psychology – to use the League of Legends Avatar Creator to design their personal college hero or avatar, a representation of their best self, imbued with the students’ own character strengths (identified through the VIA Character Strengths assessment).
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Dr. Verive also asked students to reflect on the making of their hero by writing an essay describing the choices they made while creating the avatar (choices about facial features, hair style, costume, weapon, etc.).
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The outcome was an unexpectedly intimate exploration of self.
The avatar art exhibit, "Abatir // Avataria", was displayed at Western Nevada College’s student art gallery August – September 2023. It featured students’ avatar images from the LOL Avatar Creator, essays, and essay excerpts.
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The installation was curated by artist, organizer, and events auteur Sharon Alexander, who produces under the moniker Wholesome County’s Found in Attribution.
Pieces from regional artists were integrated to add layers of reflection and viewer engagement. This innovative exhibit was a collaborative and community-oriented installation.
The intent of the exhibit is to honor students, invite contemplation of ourselves as heroes in our own lives, and expand our community’s awareness of the benefits of videogameplay and the positive aspects of gaming culture.
Thank You
Thank you to Facticity FoV Ally Guild *Elaine Bowman, Felice Gardner, Caroline Punches, Jonathan K Smith* ; Graphic Artists *Ian Mindling, Melody Pohla, Kirk Hansen* ; Found Ephemera *Saint Gaul's Catholic Church Rummage Sale, Classy Seconds, Salvation Army Family Store* ; Production Support *High Sierra Business Systems, Sierra Custom Framing, Western Nevada College* ; Getting The Word Out *Westwall Militaria, Dice & Duels, FISH, ComputerCorps*
Special Thanks
With gratitude and thanks to the 21 WNC students participating in the exhibit, regional artists *Scott Drake, Honor Kay, Tyler Holm, Barbara Pronsanto*, curator *Sharon Alexander*, to *Josephine Verive-Cain* for her design and production support, website development, and unwavering optimism, to *Jon & Felice Gardner* for their encouragement and financial support, *Tony Verive* for encouragement and moral support.
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