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ARMS Students Showcase Human Rights Art at Jones Library

Jan 14, 2025

Home 9 Middle School 9 ARMS Students Showcase Human Rights Art at Jones Library

Eighth-grade students from Amherst Regional Middle School (ARMS) have their creative work displayed at the Jones Library in Amherst. This exhibit is the product of a longstanding partnership that aims to deepen students’ understanding of human rights and their connection to the U.S. Constitution.

Dr. Irene LaRoche, the eighth-grade civics teacher who spearheaded the project, shared that this partnership began 12 years ago through collaboration with the Amherst chapter of Amnesty International. “This is our 11th exhibit,” Dr. LaRoche said. “We’ve been honored to partner with the Jones Library, which has exhibited our students’ work annually, even hosting virtual exhibits during the pandemic.”

Thanks to the library’s extension, the exhibit, Black and White and Shades of Gray, will remain on display through January 31. The theme stems from students’ exploration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), first introduced in their seventh-grade global studies class. This year’s eighth graders, both in Dr LaRoche’s and Ms. Jensen’s classes, revisited the UDHR and compared its protections to those in the U.S. Constitution as part of their civics curriculum.

The art distinguishes between rights that are clearly defined in the U.S. Constitution—depicted in black and white—and those that are less explicitly protected, represented in shades of gray. “Students analyze these differences and consider the significance of the rights in their own lives,” explained Dr. LaRoche.

Students worked on their projects for a week, creating thought-provoking pieces that visually reflect the clarity—or ambiguity—of human rights protections in the U.S. Constitution. The exhibit serves as both a creative and analytical endeavor, showcasing the students’ ability to translate complex civic concepts into compelling art.

This exhibit continues to be a testament to the power of community partnerships, including support from Amherst Media, which has highlighted the students’ work through interviews and slide presentations. Families and community members are encouraged to visit the library before the exhibit concludes on January 31 to witness this remarkable fusion of art and civic education.