A Visual Arts major who specializes in illustration and drawing, Danielle Cole’s DRC’27 love of art and passion for the Douglass community have contributed to fostering a lively and creative arts culture at Douglass.
During her time at Douglass, Danielle has been involved in a number of arts programs. As a first-year student, she worked with the Estelle Lebowitz and Ann Beneduce-Lebowitz Artist-in-Residence program under visual artist Amina Ross. She’s also been a member of the Global Village Africana House. Both programs have celebrated her creativity and perspective as a young artist and scholar.
Danielle was also an early member of the new Douglass Arts Club through the Center for Women in the Arts at Douglass. The Douglass Arts Club is an arts outlet for all Douglass students, regardless of their major. The club hosts hands-on arts events throughout the year to help students form a creative practice, express themselves, and de-stress. They also connect students to arts happenings around the university, including providing tickets to Mason Gross events and other performances around Rutgers.
Danielle strongly advocates for increasing access to the arts, even for non-art majors.
“Arts programs are important to all Douglass students because art is a part of our culture. It’s how we de-stress, communicate, and express ourselves,” said Danielle. “When midterms and finals start, healthy coping strategies can often be art-related: journaling, listening to music, doodling, coloring books, dancing, watching a movie or show.”
Additionally, Danielle believes that the arts have an essential role in developing well-rounded student leaders who can think outside the box and view the world from multiple perspectives.
“Art can teach us to explain social justice issues, current events, and other patterns visually in a way that can go hand in hand with research,” said Danielle. “It’s essential to offer art programs and activities so Douglass students can see the arts and understand how they connect to our cultures.”
In the future, Danielle hopes to continue in her artistic ambitions.
“My artistic ambitions are to further my practice and one day open up a gallery space and studio curated towards disabled and neurodivergent artists and guests.”
Her favorite mediums to work with are oil pastel and charcoal, and she enjoys exploring subjects including her relationship with her religion, church, and black life, and culture within religion.
Below is one of Danielle’s Pieces, “Family Portrait.” It is currently on view in the Piscataway Township Permanent Gallery. Read Danielle’s description below:
This is called ‘Family Portrait,’ reflecting everyone in my family’s personality, through our shoes. Starting from the left, my older brother’s sneaker. He prefers comfort, as he likes to travel. Then, on top is my dad’s dress shoe. His formal wear reflects his professional life working in the Federal Government, and his religious life as a clergy. On the far right is my Croc slipper. Sunday is the only day you will find me in heels by choice. Even then, I change into Crocs for the rest of the day. Like my brother, I also prefer comfort every day. Last but not least is my mother’s shoe, front and center. Her shoe reflects her desire for style, uniqueness, and creativity. Pinterest and HGTV are her go-to inspirations.
Lily Barber DRC'28, a history major and student artist at Douglass, examined the intersection of photography, textile arts, and archival work through her piece, Douglass Ghosts. The photo book is an exploration and tribute to the history of Douglass campus, the intergenerational ties of our community, and its effect on current students’ sense of place and home here on campus.
