Alfred University’s Drawn to Diversity uses non-traditional media and means to promote
equality, teach history, inspire artists, cultivate dialogue, and fight ignorance. The program’s foundation
is annual explorations of diversity in areas such as comic books (2006), comic strips (2007), advertising
(2008), animation (2009) and toys (2010).
Most recently, Drawn to Diversity has built a community outreach program featuring their own unique
superheroes called The Art Force Five, each with their own unique art specialty. Numerous students
have donned the artists’ aprons as they travel off-campus to provide diversity workshops for schools
and engage communities through public works of art.
The Drawn to Diversity program has been presented to over fifty audiences ranging from professionals
at NASPA’s 2007 Multicultural Institute in Miami to a center for incarcerated teens in Brooklyn, NY. The
program has gained support from companies such as Marvel Comics, MTVu, and The National Museum
of Play.
Caption for either picture: The Art Force Five, which has been played by numerous AU students,
includes Graphite - the illustrator, Zoom – the photographer, Brushstroke – the painter, 3-D – the
sculptor, and Runway – the fashion designer.
Caption: Marvel Comics created this limited-edition
poster to depict the history of diversity in comic books.