UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Pin-Hsuan Tseng, a graduate student in the School of Visual Arts at Penn State, has been honored with the John Roe Sustainability Impact Award for her innovative fusion of art education and environmental advocacy. In honor of the late Penn State mathematics professor John Roe, the award recognizes individuals who significantly contribute to sustainable practices within the University community.
Tseng’s founding and coordination of the online transnational learning platform Public Art Diary Community has successfully connected individuals from Taiwan to the U.S. since 2022. Through this platform, students and participants from different cultural backgrounds engage in an artistic exchange that fosters cultural understanding and promotes environmental consciousness.
"This arts-based platform offers a dynamic forum for cross-cultural dialogue, encouraging the sharing of personal and cultural narratives through diverse artistic media," Tseng said about her initiative. The project not only enriches artistic skills but also contributes to a more inclusive and empathetic global society, underlining the power of art in sustainability discourse.
In addition to her cultural endeavors, Tseng's work confronts the critical challenge of marine debris pollution. The Marine Debris Encyclopedia project, located on the shores of Taiwan, involved participants in environmental cleanup efforts and artistic reimagining of collected marine debris. Over three months, more than 100 participants, including middle school students and local community members, engaged in a comprehensive educational experience. They collected debris from global sources, then documented and categorized each item, transforming them into art postcards that were distributed worldwide to elevate sustainability awareness.
According to Tseng, this initiative serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of marine debris and the responsibilities of affluent countries in generating waste.
"Through this project, participants gain a deeper appreciation of the relationship between human activity, the environment, and society," said Tseng.
Tseng's endeavors align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 13, Climate Action, by underscoring the consequences of unchecked consumerism and promoting responsible waste management. Her commitment to incorporating sustainability into the arts and education exemplifies the ethos of the John Roe Sustainability Impact Award and creates a model for integrating sustainability into campus life and beyond, according to Douglas Goodstein, associate director for student engagement at Penn State Sustainability.
"Pin-Hsuan Tseng’s receipt of the John Roe Sustainability Impact Award underscores her innovative role in utilizing artistic expression to bridge cultural gaps and confront global environmental challenges,” said Goodstein. “Her creative platforms have successfully united individuals from diverse backgrounds, advancing environmental goals through the power of cross-cultural collaboration."
Tseng’s recognition sets a precedent for the essential role of innovative arts-based thinking and cultural inclusivity in achieving sustainability, and builds a model for integrating transdisciplinary elements into campus life and broader environmental initiatives. For more information on Penn State's sustainability efforts and to explore the impactful work of students like Pin-Hsuan Tseng, visit sustainability.psu.edu or contact Douglas Goodstein at drg5343@psu.edu.