The third annual William N. Campbell Poppy Project was held on Nov. 16 at the Connors Family Fine Arts Center.
The red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice. It is often worn by Americans to honor those who died during military service.
The Fine Arts Center displayed artwork from six area schools at the event. The students were instructed to incorporate fake poppies into their artwork, creating an array of unique pieces.
Assistant Professor of Fine Arts Jess Campbell helps to organize the event.
“I enjoy working with the teachers,” said Campbell. “It is nice to see what students come up with and how they translate their ideas into individual works of art.”
Fine Arts Adjunct Professor Bonnie Resinski created a poppy costume she titled “Unknown, Yet Remembered.”
“In my eighth-grade year, my poster was chosen for the Veteran’s Day poster competition,” said Resinski. “My affection for the Poppy Project goes back a long way.”
The annual event is dedicated to Campbell’s late father-in-law, William N. Campbell, who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
“My father-in-law asked me if I had students who wanted to create artwork with poppies donated by the VFW for some sort of program or contest,” said Campbell. “That’s how this started.”
This year, SFU’s Students in the Arts Club (SITA) hosted an Art Market event alongside the Poppy Project. At the market, various SFU clubs sold handmade items to visitors.
“The goal of SITA is to support the fine arts groups already on campus,” said the club’s Vice President Theresa Martz. “The Art Market worked to showcase everyone’s talents, such as crochet, knitting, painting or bracelet design.”
“It is a great opportunity to involve the community,” said Campbell. “My father-in-law would have loved it.”
Schools that participated in this year’s Poppy Project included Altoona, Cambria Heights, Forest Hills, Greensburg Central Catholic, Johnstown and Penn Cambria.
