April 16 Art Gallery Attracts Crowd - Helps Students Heal

By Ashley Roberts
WSLS10 Reporter
Published: April 17, 2008

Going inside the perspectives art gallery on the second floor of the Squires Student Center is like going back in time to last year on April 16th. “It {Virginia Tech} is still a place of peace for me, happiness, wonderful joyful memories,“ says VT Alumni Mimi Harrison.  “That particular day kind of felt like a thief had come in and robbed us, but we’re slowly getting that feeling back.“

For many, the one year anniversary and looking at all these pictures that were taken following the tragedy bring back feelings of sadness, shock and heartache.

But, others like Dustin Rinehart and Mickey Chapa say they’re helping them heal.  “I actually wasn’t on campus when it happened,“ says Rinehart. So, it just gives you more perspective how other people feel about it.“
 
“It’s definitely helped me,“ says Chapa. “I’m able to take a step back and look at things.“

The art gallery is filled with pictures like the “VT Thanks You” message the university created to thank to entire world for the outpouring of support following the shootings, as well as a photo of a student offering free hugs to anyone who needed them.

VT Alumni Mimi Harrison took her children to the art gallery. “This past year has been a year for them to understand that it’s safe to come here and we can continue to love this campus.“

And at the same time remembering what happened and the victims. Many like VT Senior Jon Pacio chose to do this by creating art and decorating stones. “There’s a dark and light at the top so it reminds me…I’m from Virginia Beach…so it kind of reminds me of the ocean which is why I painted it blue and the lighter you know portion on the top reminds me of the sunset.“

And in some way of the victims. People no one at the university will ever forget.