Dear World at the University of Wyoming

Additional Information

Members of the University of Wyoming community have an opportunity to share messages and tell their stories through a unique portrait project this spring.
World-renowned photographer Robert Fogarty and his team from Dear World will document UW student, faculty and staff stories in a live storytelling experience and portrait shoot on campus April 25-26.
“This is an interactive, award-winning portrait project that will explore the connections among students, faculty and staff,” says Chad Baldwin, UW associate vice president for communications and marketing. “Dear World has conducted these events at many universities around the country and even internationally, and we’re excited that the people of UW will have the same opportunity to express themselves in this fun and meaningful manner.”
At the heart of the Dear World project are photographs of students, faculty and staff with messages written on their skin. Participants are asked to each share a message about something or to someone they love. For examples and a video about Dear World, go to http://projects.dearworld.me/collegetour.
“Our process creates a safe and creative space that sparks further dialogue by honoring that everyone is coming from different backgrounds and experiences,” Dear World producers say. “We provide an outlet for individuals to share their own stories in their own words.”
The primary Dear World events at UW are the Open Shoot, open to the entire campus and local community members, running from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, in the Wyoming Union Gardens; and a closing storytelling event at 7 p.m. April 26 in the College of Business Building atrium, where the Dear World team will share photos from the event. Dear World also will invite students who were chosen earlier in the day to share their stories.
During the Open Shoot, students, faculty and staff members who would like to be photographed will meet with Dear World team members to explain their messages and have their photos taken. During this shoot, Dear World producers and photographers will keep an eye out for stories that are truthful and personal, and model leadership and vulnerability. Several students will be selected from this group to share their stories at the evening reception, where the photos will be shown for the community.
UW Institutional Marketing is coordinating the Dear World events along with several other campus organizations. Anyone interested in helping organize the events -- including logistics, assistance at the photo shoots and recruiting participants -- is asked to email Kass Sprague at kass7@uwyo.edu or Jenny Petty at jpetty7@uwyo.edu.