Using Art to Create Social Change

Installation View: Breaking Criminal Traditions-Highland Park

Events continue around The Art of Influence: Breaking Criminal Traditions — the exhibition currently on view at The Art Center-Highland Park.

On Thursday, November 20th from 6-8PM, I will be taking part in a panel discussion titled Using Art to Create Social Change. The other participating panelists are: artist James Deeb, executive producer Cheryl Jefferson, and social justice expert Zainab Khan. The panel plans to explore the power of art and its ability to create a cultural tipping point in taking a stand for human rights.

Through this panel discussion we hope to encourage and create dialogue surrounding The Art Center’s current exhibition. Art is one of the strongest tools we have to raise consciousness—the first step toward encouraging change and supporting human rights.

The exhibition includes works of art by: Corinna Button, James Deeb, Sheila Ganch, Claire Girodie, Sergio Gomez, Andrea Harris, Paula Kloczkowski Luberda, Richard Laurent, Kathy Liao, Chandrika Marla, Zoriah Miller, Nancy Rosen, Lorraine Sack, Valerie Schiff, Barbara Simcoe, and Anne Smith Stephan.

The Breaking Criminal Traditions exhibition continues through January 3, 2015. The Art Center-Highland Park is located at 1957 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, Illinois. This event is free and open to the public.
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Installed: The Art of Influence: Breaking Criminal Traditions at The Art Center of Highland Park

 

 Paula Kloczkowski Luberda, Bound, Cement 30”h x 6”w x 6.5”d and 

Richard Laurent La Fleur Charcoal and Pencil on Paper 20” x 20”

Opening Friday, November 7th at The Art Center of Highland Park is, The Art of Influence: Breaking Criminal Traditions. This fine art exhibition, features the work of sixteen artists from around the country, calling attention to the ongoing ancient rituals that kill or maim millions each year—yet are not considered crimes. The exhibition utilizes the beauty of high-quality fine art to raise awareness of human rights issues and—in doing so—begins a dialogue that may encourage change.

This provocative yet engaging exhibition debuted in 2013 at the IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, putting the shadowy topics of honor killing, child marriage, acid violence—among others—directly in front of current and future law makers. Since the show debuted, new fine art pieces have been added. The show has evolved into the unique presentation designed specifically for The Art Center of Highland Park.

The exhibition features some fifty pieces of fine art, in a variety of mediums. I've selected pieces that are intriguing—with many levels of interpretation. Being conscious of the human rights issues outlined by Executive Producer, Cheryl Jefferson, I chose beautifully intriguing works of art that contain multiple levels of meaning—the meaning ultimately defined by the interpretation of the viewer.

The exhibition includes works of art by: Corinna Button (Chicago, IL), James Deeb (Evanston, IL), Sheila Ganch (Chicago, IL), Claire Girodie (Baltimore, MD), Sergio Gomez (Chicago, IL), Andrea Harris (Chicago, IL), Paula Kloczkowski Luberda (Naperville, IL), Richard Laurent (Chicago, IL), Kathy Liao (Seattle, WA), Chandrika Marlo (Northbrook, IL),  Zoriah Miller (New York, NY, Paris, France), Nancy Rosen (Chicago, IL), Lorraine Sack (Indianapolis, IN), Valerie Schiff (Chicago, IL), Barbara Simcoe (Omaha, NE), and Anne Smith Stephan (Wilmette, IL)

The Art of Influence: Breaking Criminal Traditions will be on display through January 3. A public Opening Reception will take place on Friday, November 7 from 6:30-9pm. The Art Center of Highland Park is located at 1957 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL 60035. The gallery is open Monday–Saturday 9am-4:30pm. Most of the pieces included in the exhibition are available for purchase. Additional information can be found at BreakingCriminalTraditions.com.
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