Artist and social activist to receive social justice award from HSHP

Artist and social activist to receive social justice award from HSHPNovember 21, 2001SU News ServicesSUnews@syr.edu

Amy Bartell, an internationally recognized artist and social activist, has been selected by the School of Social Work in the College of Human Services and Health Professions as the recipient of the Daniel and Mary Lou Rubenstein Social Justice Award. The award will be presented at a reception in the Sims Hall Atrium at 5 p.m. Nov. 27.

Social work graduate students created the annual award more than 20 years ago to recognize a person in the community who reflected social justice values in his or her personal or professional life. The award was named after the late Daniel Rubenstein, a professor and activist member of the School of Social Work, and his wife, Mary Lou, a retired school social worker who continues to address social justice issues in Central New York.

Through her artwork, Bartell addresses social justice issues concerning women, gays and lesbians, people with disabilities, people with HIV/AIDS and many other oppressed and disenfranchised groups. Known for brilliant colors and representations that make visual and visceral connections with the viewer, her messages can be seen around the world. Her posters and other art work are included at the United States Holocaust Museum, the United States Museum of Women in the Arts, the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance and the Women’s Hall of Fame. In addition, Bartell has created murals that speak to her vision of social justice at college campuses including the University of Connecticut, California State University at Long Beach and the University of New Hampshire.