New Exhibits to Open at Lubeznik Center for the Arts

Honor-a-VetLubeznik Center for the Arts hosts Citizen-Soldier-Citizen, an art exhibit of contemporary works by military veterans, November 2, 2013 through February 9, 2014 in the Hyndman Gallery. CSC honors those who have fought for our country and those fighting to reintegrate back to society after experiences of war. Curated by Tara Leigh Tappert, an independent scholar, archivist, and American arts consultant, the exhibit will explore the ways in which soldiers returning to civilian life use the arts to heal and to communicate their personal experiences. The show features artwork in a variety of mediums including painting, drawing, photography, fiber, metal, glass, clay, wood, film, and performance. Thanks to our sponsors including: Horizon Bank, NIPSCO, Unity Foundation of LaPorte County, Sauer’s Buick GMC, McDonald’s – Glenn, Kathy & Sam Lubeznik Owner/Operators, WIMS radio, WNIT television and The News Dispatch.

Also new on exhibit will be politically-charged works from Lubeznik Center’s permanent collection in the Brincka/Cross and Robert Saxton Galleries. This exhibit entitled Theater of Conflict, includes works by Raphael Canogar, Oskar Graf, and William Weege. Conogar’s prints depict the violence and repression of Franco’s regime in Spain during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Graf’s etchings are propaganda art for the Third Reich (1938). And, William Weeges’ prints depict the counterculture in opposition to the Vietnam War and a declaration of the right to dissent.

Veterans Honor Wall

In conjunction with Citizen-Soldier-Citizen and Veterans Day (Monday, November 11, 2013) Lubeznik Center will host an honor wall with tributes and memorials for veterans from all branches of service. For a minimum contribution of $10 individuals can reserve a place of honor for their veteran by visiting lubeznikcenter.org/honorwall or by calling 219-874-4900. There is still time to reserve a space on the wall until October 16, 2013. The honor wall remain up through the exhibit until February 9, 2014. Special thanks to The Wall Gang for generously supporting the honor wall.

Exhibit-Related Programs

On November 1, during the Uptown Arts District’s First Friday at Five from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Lubeznik Center will host the opening reception for its newest exhibitions. At this event Lubeznik Center will partner with Peace Paper Project for an interactive demonstration of how to shred unserviceable soldiers’ uniforms, pulp the fibers, and transform the mixture into paper and artwork. Lubeznik Center will invite local veterans to participate in this papermaking process historically rooted in the traditions of hand papermaking. The demonstration will be led by experienced facilitators and Drew Mattot and Margret Mahan founders of the Peace Paper Project. According to art therapist Cathy Malchiodi, “with a new generation of American combat veterans returning from Iraq, the nation has an obligation to do everything possible to improve care for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although art therapy has been understudied in this context, it shows promise as a means of treating hard-to-treat symptoms of combat-related PTSD, such as avoidance and emotional numbing, while also addressing the underlying psychological situation that gives rise to these symptoms.”

A screening of “Where Soldiers Come From” is scheduled for November 14 at 6:30 p.m.. Following the screening Lubeznik Center will host a Q & A with filmmaker Heather Courtney. From a snowy small town in Northern Michigan to the mountains of Afghanistan and back, “Where Soldiers Come From” follows the four-year journey of childhood friends, forever changed by a faraway war. Winning an Emmy in 2011 and the 2012 Independent Spirit Truer than Fiction Award, the film is a co-production of Quincy Hill Films and ITVS, in association with American Documentary | POV. Its national broadcast premiere was on the award-winning PBS documentary series POV in fall 2011, and was chosen for an encore broadcast in September 2012.

Lubeznik Center will host two Family Art Nights for families of active military and veterans. Dates to be announced. Participants will be given a docent led tour of the exhibits and then be led in an art project. A meal will be provided for families to share, so that families can unwind together, talk, have fun and be creative, without having to clean up the dishes! Lubeznik Center is offering these opportunities for sharing and healing so military/veteran families know they are not alone in their experiences, but just as important, we want to engage them in a safe social experience and environment that offers fun, family-oriented activities. Family art nights are free and open to the public and will be held in our handicapped accessible spaces.

Lubeznik Center Information

The Lubeznik Center is located at 101 W. 2nd St., at the lakefront in Michigan City, IN. Gallery Hours are weekdays from 10:00am to 5:00pm, Thursdays we have extended hours until 7:00pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am to 4:00pm. For more information please visit www.lubeznikcenter.org or call 219-874-4900. All times are based on Central Daylight Time.