By providing a safe space for bipartisan discourse, the red and blue students gained purple empathy by sharing, listening, and hearing one another. In order to fully validate these experiences, other educators and I must continue to reflexively attempt such processes in order to create spaces for purple empathy to grow stronger and become far reaching.

We contacted creators from all over the United States...

I am working a national project called Unity Flags, and my hope is you will represent your state.

The Unity Flags are in anticipation for the final presidential debate Belmont is 'hosting' in the Fall. I would send you a care package with all the materials (canvas, paint & brushes) to create an American flag... in your own way, and you are welcome to use other colors and/or materials. You could do it with other artists, family, friends, students or alone (however you are COVID19 comfortable). You could get creative with the design or paint it to look exactly like old glory. It can also have a 'state' spin on it, but that is not required. I've attached example pics for inspiration.

Here are some example Unity Flags for inspiration. Thank you for joining this project.

Please contact me with any questions.

Meaghan Brady Nelson, PhD
Assistant Professor, Program Director of Fine Arts
Watkins College of Art | Belmont University | Nashville TN
Meaghan.Nelson@belmont.edu

Love Thy Neighbor
By Meaghan Brady Nelson | 2019
Acrylic on Gallery Wrap | 3ft x 5ft

Purple Empathy
By Meaghan Brady Nelson | 2019
Acrylic on Gallery Wrap | 3ft x 5ft

Happy Valentines Love
By Meaghan Brady Nelson | 2017
Quantity 200, 5 x 7 inch linograph prints