Student Affairs

Exhibition and workshops showcase the Asian American experience through stories

Lunchbox Moments will be displayed in the HUB-Robeson Center exhibition cases through May 15.  Credit: Provided by Amie BantzAll Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The HUB-Robeson Galleries in partnership with Adult Learner Programs & Services, Residence Life, and the Sustainability Institute present "Lunchbox Moments: Seek Understanding. Share Stories. Stop Hate," by Amie Bantz, a multi-faceted exhibition. The exhibition will run from Jan. 26 to May 15 and can be viewed in the exhibition cases throughout the HUB-Robeson Center. Several events and interactive workshops will be held in connection to the exhibit.

"Lunchbox moments" are formative occurrences in many Asian Americans’ lives where a traditional Asian meal is eaten at school or at home and the meal elicits some sort of reaction, whether it be positive or negative.

“I have a lunchbox moment; my mom has a lunchbox moment; nearly all of my AAPI [Asian American Pacific Islander] community members have a lunchbox moment,” said artist Amie Bantz. “These stories make up a collective identity that is equal parts profound, beautiful, comical and heartbreaking.”

Sharing these stories empowers the AAPI community in light of recent attacks on Asian Americans in the U.S. and highlights the commonality of experiences across many people of color. To learn more about the project, visit "Amie Bantz Presents: Lunchbox Moments: Seek Understanding. Share Stories. Stop Hate."

The displayed boxes that are part of the exhibit are a collection of narratives from members of the AAPI community and are a visual representation of storytelling showcasing the Asian-American experience. Penn State students will also have the opportunity to share their stories and create a lunchbox of their own during Bantz’s visit to University Park.

Meet the artist and uplift AAPI voices by attending the events below. These events are free and open to all.

Events and Workshops

Feb. 8: Lunchbox Moments Exhibition and Reception, 5-7 p.m., First Floor: HUB-Robeson Center. No registration needed. This event is free and open to all. Join us for a mix and mingle with the artist Bantz for conversation and a lunchbox-making activity.

Feb. 8: Culture in Motion: Music Mixer, 7:30-9:30 p.m. HUB 008

Register for Culture in Motion. Registration is free, but space is limited. Enjoy cultural performances, refreshments, and a DJ.

Feb.y 9: Art in Action: Lunchbox Moments, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. HUB 233A

Register for Art in Action: Lunchbox Moments. Space is limited and registration is required to ensure free supplies for participants. Participate in shared storytelling and capture your own lunchbox moment.

Feb. 10: Lunchbox Making Workshop with artist Amie Bantz, 6-8 p.m. HUB 302

Register for Lunchbox Making Workshop. Registration is free, but space is limited. Participate in a cultural exchange of lunchbox moments and create your own mixed media design for our Penn State lunch box display.

Feb. 11: Sustainability Showcase featuring Amie Bantz, noon-1:15 p.m., Online and (tentatively) HUB 233AB: Join Amie Bantz for a talk as part of the “Driving It Home” series connecting sustainability issues to the places we live. No Registration needed.

Amie Bantz often explores identity, place, and her Korean-American ethnicity through her work – taking everyday objects or scenes and transforming them, thereby forcing viewers to experience something in a new way.  Credit: Provided by Amie BantzAll Rights Reserved.

Bantz is a Baltimore-born, Midwest-and-New-England-raised, current Harrisburg resident. Bantz received her bachelor’s in art education and master’s in arts administration and works as a community artist and educator. Formerly an art and AP art history teacher, her background in education fosters a desire to make art accessible to everyone as she creates work that incorporates themes or images that encourage connection. Bantz often explores identity, place, and her Korean-American ethnicity through her work – taking everyday objects or scenes and transforming them, thereby forcing viewers to experience something in a new way. Her goal is rather simple: educate and foster connection through art.

For more information on these events and other exhibitions, contact HUB-Robeson Galleries at (814) 865-2563, or visit the website at studentaffairs.psu.edu/hub/art-galleries. Keep up to date with HUB-Robeson Galleries by signing up for the Listserv or follow the HUB-Robeson Galleries on Instagram @hubrobesongalleries. HUB-Robeson Galleries is a unit within Penn State Student Affairs.

Last Updated January 19, 2022