Art @ the Y presents: "Behind Closed Doors–No More", Linocuts and Quilts by Elzbieta (Elka) Kazmierczak

On view in Murphy Gallery of the University YMCA 

from November 5, 2015 through December 2015. 

The University YMCA is pleased to present the Behind Closed Doors No-More exhibition series, displaying linocuts and quilts by Elzbieta (Elka) Kazmierczak. All are invited to the Behind Closed Doors-No More exhibition opening at 5pm on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at the Y’s Murphy Gallery, 1001 South Wright Street, Champaign, Illinois. A viewing of Behind Closed Doors–No More will begin at 5:00pm, followed by a gallery talk with Elka Kazmierczak at 5:30pm. The opening reception is a good opportunity for the Champaign-Urbana community to learn more about the artist’s work in person. Light refreshments will be provided.

Image above: "Patience" by Elzbieta (Elka) Kazmierczak

On November 12 at 7pm, all are invited to participate in an expressive arts workshop for the Behind Closed Doors-No More series. No registration is required. This, free hands-on workshop will be facilitated by the artist Elka Kazmierczak, with all materials provided. The workshop will take place in Murphy Gallery of the University YMCA. 1001 S. Wright Street, Champaign.

Image above: "Hero" by Elzbieta (Elka) Kazmierczak

Behind Closed Doors–No More presents an emotional journey from victim of domestic violence to advocate against gender-based violence. It includes the artist’s personal story and stories of women and girls interviewed by the artist. This exhibition shows the value of art as a means for speaking out against taboos: a means for healing and empowerment.

Elka Kazmierczak is a printmaker, book artist, expressive arts instructor, and survivor of domestic violence. A fellow of the Polish Ministry of Culture and Art, she immigrated from Poland in 1990, later receiving an MFA, MA, and PhD at the University of Illinois. 

Art at the Y is delighted to showcase the work of Elka Kazmierczak at the Y's Murphy Gallery from November 5, 2015 through December 2015.

Additional sponsors include: Diversity and Social Justice Education, University of Illinois Women’s Resource Center and YWCA of the University of Illinois

Art @ the Y is an initiative of the University YMCA. All Art at the Y events are free and open to the public.  Website: universityymca.org/art

Murphy Gallery Hours

Mondays-Thursdays from 9am to 9pm
Fridays from 9am to 5pm

Murphy Gallery of the University YMCA

1001 S. Wright Street, Champaign, IL 61820 

Parking Nearby:Parking lot on 6th between Daniel & Chalmers - Free after 5pm.
Parking garage on 6th & John - Free after 5pm.
Street parking on Wright, Chalmers, & 6th Streets for 75¢ per hour.
Municipal lot on Green & 5th Streets for $1 per hour.

Press Release/PSA

For Immediate Release

Thursday, October 15, 2015

For media inquiries, contact Megan Flowers, Communications Director

[megan@universityymca.org; 217-337-1500]

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Visual Politics class visits the "(In)Visible Men" painting series

VISUAL POLITICSResisting and Confronting Stereotypes of Black Men in"(In)Visible Men", Paintings by Rick Lewis Yesterday, on October 13, the "(In)Visible Men" series was visited by the CMN 340 Visual Politics class. Instructor Katie Irwin brought the students over to the Y's Murphy Gallery because she saw that the exhibition was a great example of the topics discussed throughout the course. Katie left the artist Rick Lewis a note in the "(In)Visible Men" visitor's comment book: "Thank you for sharing your work with our campus. I brought my Visual Politics class here today as we are concluding a unit on confronting, resisting, and visibility of civil rights. Your pieces helped to bring alive these issues for my students, especially as they stood face to face with their Illinois State peers. Looking forward to seeing your future work." -Katie Irwin, Doctoral Candidate from the Department of Communication from the Art @ the Y presents "(In)Visible Men" visitor's comment book. "(In)Visible Men", Paintings by Rick Lewis is now view now in the Y's Murphy Gallery through October 31, 2015! Art @ the Y is an initiative of the University YMCA. All Art @ the Y events are free and open to the public. ​ About: (In)Visible Men is a portrait series focused on Black males and the attempt to bring visibility to a social group that has been historically marginalized. Since the birth of this country, Black men have appeared and disappeared from view depending upon the political, economic or entertainment needs of the dominant culture.In the series, Rick Lewis is asking the viewer to pause while attempting to see Black men without a narrative or judgment; to quiet inner dialogues that have arisen from how this group has been defined. ​ Murphy Gallery Hours: Mondays-Thursdays from 9am to 9pm Fridays from 9am to 5pm Murphy Gallery of the University YMCA 1001 S. Wright Street, Champaign, IL Website: universityymca.org/art Nearby Bus Stops: Transit Plaza, Armory & Wright, and Wright and Chalmers Bus Lines: Silver, Navy, Blue, Illini, Brown, Yellow

YThen/YNow: The Case of Chief Illiniwek

Since 1873, the University YMCA has committed itself towards bettering human relations and protecting our planet. Over time, with Y student leaders taking lead, we have furthered our conversations in the pursuit of social justice.

 Y THEN

Pictured at the podium in Latzer Hall of the University YMCA, UIUC student activists Charlene Teters and Michael Haney lead the Anti-Chief Illiniwek movement, which launched in 1991. Their message is clear: Native Americans are not mascots. Native Americans are human beings.

Y NOW

On April 17, 2015, Angela Walden gives a talk at the University YMCA’s Murphy Gallery on “Mascots, Cultural Appropriation, and Indigenous Peoples: The Case of Chief Illiniwek.” This Art @ the Y sponsored event took place in conjunction with the exhibition "IndiVisible: African-Native Lives in the Americas."