Graphic design students promote locally grown food, community
A group of graphic design students organized an art exhibition and benefit event on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 150 W. Main St. to promote local food resources and to help share and preserve the culture of food in the VCU and Richmond community.
A group of graphic design students organized an art exhibition and benefit event on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 150 W. Main St. to promote local food resources and to help share and preserve the culture of food in the VCU and Richmond community. Project Winterfood was hosted by students to provide information on the benefits of utilizing local food options. Local artists donated the artwork.
According to Johnny Utterback, project coordinator and graphic design major, the idea of Project Winterfood was developed in the Design Rebels course, which is offered by the department of graphic design. The course teaches students to create socially conscious designs in order to promote change. “(We are) trying to promote local food and help support the local economy,” Utterback said. “Local produce is something people don’t take advantage of.”
Some community partners helped the students during the art exhibition, which featured work that celebrated three winter foods: apples, spinach and sweet potatoes. “A lot of students are not aware of how (buying food) can impact their health, budget and their community,” said project coordinator and graphic design major Christina Gleixner. Exhibition designer and a graphic design major Liam Ward said social events like Project Winterfood are important not only for students, but the entire community. Ward said the event was about more than just promoting health.
Project Winterfood was about supporting the Richmond community and seasonable food, which are better alternatives than purchasing mass-produced food, he said. “People need to know their options,” Ward said. Local businesses provided information to attendants about local food options, resources, and benefits in the Richmond-area food community. Attendants were able to learn more about how they can buy food from local farms as well as restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients. The artwork will be on display in Gallery5 at 200 W. Marshall St. throughout the month of December. It can be purchased during that time as well. All of the proceeds will be given to The Central Virginia Food Bank and Gallery5.