By OLIVIA BURGER
a&l editor

The Schuster Gallery was a part of one of Erie’s most unique events on Friday with its participation in the Erie Art Museum’s city-wide Gallery Night.
Students, faculty and community members were invited to visit the gallery, as it was advertised as one of 14 local independent galleries participating in the event.
The gallery reception was also a celebration for the Gannon University student photography competition, themed “Our Changing Culture and Climate.”
The photo contest was a part of a celebration for International Education Week at Gannon. International Education Week is a weeklong initiative dedicated to the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.
The Schuster Gallery partnered with the Office of Global Support and Student Engagement to create the theme of the event and to celebrate International Education Week.
Students who participated in the contest were challenged to interpret the theme in photography and were encouraged to submit up to three photos for the competition.
Junior pre-med major Evan DeFalco was a student whose photo was selected to be in the competition.
“It was really exciting to see my work put up on the wall,” he said. “It’s awesome to see the talent of the students and all the places they’ve been through Gannon’s travel program.”
A total of 26 photos were chosen for the display, and of these photos, three were chosen as winners.
The winners were chosen by a panel of judges composed of university faculty and staff.
The third-place prize went to Sara Borro for her photograph titled “Grand Prismatic.”
Katherine Kiss was awarded second place for her photograph titled “A Glimpse Back in Time.”
The best-in-show award of first place was given to Ellise Chase for her photo titled “Eyes of Vesuvius.”
Following the theme of the competition, many of the photos in the exhibit depicted images of nature and culture.
“I really liked the theme and the idea of climate change,” said sophomore biomedical engineering major Olivia Rose.
“It captures the beauty of nature and you can see the differences of climate change in the images.”
Rose’s image titled “Mount Pilatus” is on display as part of “Our Changing Culture and Climate.”
Sophomore criminal justice and legal studies major Rachel Loper was inspired by the photography she saw at the gallery reception.
“Seeing all these photos made me excited to travel,” she said.
“Our Changing Culture and Climate” will be on display in the Schuster Gallery until Jan. 30.
A peoples’ choice award for best photograph will be determined by ballots that are cast by the general public and a winner will be announced at a later date.

OLIVIA BURGER
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