A nationally touring art exhibit titled "Interrupted Life: Incarcerated Mothers in the United States" focusing on motherhood, incarceration, reproductive policy, welfare policy, and politics in the United States opens on Monday, Nov. 9 at the Davis Center.

The exhibit, designed to offer insight into the lives of women who are incarcerated, raises questions about the equality and equity of the American justice system through race, class, gender and sexuality. The effects of incarceration on Vermont children and their families will be on display in the form of artwork, writings and photography produced by women incarcerated at the Northwest State Correctional facility in Swanton, Vt. A video created by teenagers telling the story of what it is like to have a parent in prison will also be shown.

A panel discussion is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. in the Davis Center's Chittenden Room featuring Jill Evans, director of Women and Family Services for the Vermont Department of Corrections, and UVM professors Rashad Shabazz, assistant professor in geography; Felicia Kornbluh, associate professor in history and director of the women's and gender studies program; Stephanie Seguino, professor in economics; Brenda Solomon, associate professor in education and social services; and Kathy Fox, associate professor in sociology. Chittenden County State's Attorney T.J. Donovan will moderate.

An opening reception is set for Thursday, Nov. 12 at 5 p.m. in the Davis Center's Silver Maple Ballroom. Exhibit curator Rickie Solinger, a historian, prize-winning author and director of WakeUp/Arts in New York, will give a talk at 6:30 p.m. titled "Making Incarceration Visible: Art, Exhibition, Social Justice, and Mothers in U.S. Prisons." The Vermont Commission on Women will host a listening forum on Nov. 18 at 10 .a.m. in the Chittenden Room, followed by a 1 p.m. viewing of the documentary What I Want My Words to Do to You by activist, filmmaker and playwright Eve Ensler, best known for her play The Vagina Monologues.

More information is available on the exhibit's Facebook page.