• Embracing Our Differences is an outdoor art display that celebrates the positive nature of diversity. 
• The mission of this display is to demonstrate in a positive way that diversity enriches our lives; that respect for differences in our thoughts and beliefs elevates the human experience; and that the active rejection of prejudice and hatred enhances our own freedoms.
• Each display consists of an original work of art and a quotation about diversity… all exhibited on a 16’ wide and 12’ wide sized billboard.

 Where did this exhibit begin?

• The exhibit was first displayed in 2004 in the Sarasota, Florida area. 
• Since then over 250,000 visitors have come to this month-long display in that area.

 Who created these images for the Sarasota billboards?

• The Embracing Our Differences exhibit features 39 billboard size images created by professional artists, art students, and school children from all over Florida’s Gulf Coast.
• Their creations reflect their interpretation of our message: “enriching lives through diversity.” 
• An interesting and inspiring feature of the exhibition is the inclusion of the quotations that accompany each image. These quotations were chosen from entries submitted by members of the community and speak of the value of respecting other cultures and religions.

 So what is the connection with Embracing Our Differences in Sarasota to Wooster, Ohio?

• A group of vacationers from the Wooster Area saw it and were simply moved by the clarity and creativity of the message.
• They decided that they had to find a way to either bring this exhibit to Wooster or do a version of it here.
• An ad hoc committed was formed to determine its feasibility and receptiveness in Wooster.  They received very positive responses and strong support form many members of our community and formed Embracing our Differences Ohio

 What is Embracing Our Differences Ohio?

• Rather than display the Sarasota exhibit here in Wooster, the committee reached out to local artists, educators, and school children to submit their own creative definitions of diversity for the 2007 exhibit.
  
• With the help of Dr. Dan Good, Superintendent of the Wooster City Schools and members of our steering committee, several local school districts, the Career Center, Wayne College, The College of Wooster, and OSU-ATI participated in the first Ohio exhibit held in Wooster in May of 2007.
  
• Nearly 280 pieces of art and quotations were submitted with two thirds of them coming from the children.

 When and where is all this displayed?

• The first exhibit consisted of 39 billboards displayed on the campus of  OSU's Agricultural Technical Institute May 6, through June 18, 2007 
  
• It is estimated that over 5,000 visitors viewed the exhibit in 2007.
  

 What is the connection with OSU’s Agricultural Technical Institute?

• As you can imagine, an art display of 39 billboards requires a significant amount of display space… several acres of open space in all.
• The ATI site seemed ideal, with plenty of open space, 24-hour security, visibility from a major traffic route, and a very receptive and supportive staff.
• The committee is very fortunate that Dr. Stephen Nemeth, director of OSU-ATI supports the Embracing Our Differences Ohio exhibit.

What are the costs to participate in the exhibit?

• There are no art or quotation entry fees, no admission fees, and parking is free.

How can such an expensive exhibit be free?  How are you funded?

• The committee has been extremely fortunate with generous supporters and volunteers. 
• For example as a special class project, ATI students built the display frames. The Seaman Corporation donated the billboard materials and MultiMedia Technologies is subsiding the printing of them.
• Billboard sponsors are being acquired and several foundations/charitable trusts have provided funding.
• The visual arts class at the Wayne County Schools Career Center did the video as a class project for the 2007 exhibit.

• The Embracing Our Differences Ohio will be displayed at the Oho States Agricultural Technical Institute May 4 through June 8 , 2008.