The University YMCA will present the “Behind Closed Doors No-More” exhibition series, displaying linocuts and quilts by Elzbieta (Elka) Kazmierczak. The exhibition opens at 5 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Y’s Murphy Gallery, followed by a gallery talk with Kazmierczak at 5:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.
The exhibition, featured through December, 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.
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 emigrated from Poland in 1990, later receiving an M.F.A., M.A. and Ph.D. at the U. of I.
At 7 p.m. Nov. 12, the gallery will host 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 Kazmierczak, with all materials provided. The workshop will take place in Murphy Gallery of the University YMCA.
The exhibition is part of the Art at the Y initiative of the University YMCA. All Art at the Y events are free and open to the public. Additional sponsors include Diversity and Social Justice Education, Women’s Resources Center, and YWCA of the U of I.
The Murphy Gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays.
