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The second floor Mezzanine of Bartle Library has taken on a new role this semester not just as a quiet space for studying, but as a gallery for student expression and introspection.

Alongside rows of desks and study carrels, the walls now feature student-created artwork, photography and written pieces that explore themes such as identity, mental health and personal growth. This curated display encourages those who enter not only to focus on their academic work, but also to connect with the shared experiences of the campus community in a space that fosters both concentration and reflection.

“Public Persona,” the latest exhibit from the Libraries’ ArtHere initiative, features artwork created by students in Professor Ron Gonzalez’s sculpture course. The show invites the campus community to explore how people craft and perform identity in public life.

The pieces on display take many forms, from sculpted masks to mixed-media constructions. Some are whimsical or surreal, while others are somber, sharp-edged or symbolic. What connects them is their origin: Each student was tasked with creating a physical representation of their “public persona” — the version of themselves they feel the world sees or expects to see.

The assignment encouraged vulnerability, self-reflection and experimentation. For many of the students, it was a step outside of their comfort zone.

“I was shocked and surprised,” said Alix Gligani, one of the artists featured in the exhibit. “I’m an English major, and graphic design is my minor. I took this class on a whim and chose the subject of ‘eyeball’ because of its symbolism in literature. I ended up learning a lot about myself through the process.”

“Sure, I hadn’t done something like this before, but I really enjoyed the paper-mâché process and the creative freedom we had,” Julianne Morris said. “I chose a deer because they remind me of home.”

The exhibit opened with a public panel discussion attended by students, faculty, library staff and members of the campus community. The panel featured Frank Chang, a lecturer in art and design, and Carrie Blabac-Myers, the director of Libraries’ Constituent Development. Together, they organize and curate the ArtHere exhibits in partnership with faculty in the Department of Art and Design.

The panel offered students a platform to speak about their work and to hear how their peers interpreted the shared theme. It also sparked broader conversation about identity, performance and how art can change the way people experience campus spaces.

“The ‘Public Persona’ exhibit is such a powerful example of how art can activate public spaces,” Blabac-Myers said. “We wanted students to see the library not just as a study space, but as a place for imagination and dialogue. This exhibit asks people to consider the masks they wear and what it means to take them off.”

Some attendees were former students revisiting their work months after the class ended. “Cute! I was pleasantly surprised by it,” said student Emily Do. “Brings back good memories of my classmates. I took some pictures and am going to send them the photos.”

“Public Persona” is just one of several exhibitions made possible through ArtHere, a program that began as an experiment and has since become a permanent fixture in the Libraries’ programming. Its inspiration traces back to Professor Emerita Linda Sokolowski, who was the first artist to loan her work to Bartle Library. Her exhibit drew widespread positive feedback from students and staff alike.

“It was the universal reaction of joy to her work that showed us what was possible,” Blabac-Myers said.

Support for the ArtHere program comes from both the Department of Art and Design and the Libraries. Harpur College Dean Celia Klin and Libraries Dean Andrea Falcone provide annual funding that covers printing and installation costs, ensuring students can participate without financial barriers and that the display areas remain professional and well maintained.

While Blabac-Myers and Chang manage the logistics of each exhibit, they emphasize that the students themselves bring the space to life.

“Every time we hang a new show, the energy in the room shifts,” Chang said. “The work transforms the space. And the conversations it sparks between students, between strangers, are what make it really special.”

“Public Persona” will remain on view in the second floor Mezzanine of Bartle Library through the end of the semester. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

As the semester progresses and students continue to pass through the mezzanine, “Public Persona” stands as a quiet but powerful reminder of the complexities behind the faces we show the world. In a space often associated with focus and silence, these artworks speak volumes about identity, vulnerability and the courage it takes to be seen.

More than an exhibit, “Public Persona” is a conversation-starter — one that invites every viewer to pause, reflect and perhaps consider their own public self in a new light.