WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23 at 5:30PM

Join Damascus-born, New Haven CT artist Mohamad Hafez for an artist’s talk about Unpacked: Refugee Baggage, a series of sculptural recreations of rooms, buildings, and landscapes that have suffered the ravages of war. Hafez will discuss the process of collaborating creatively with refugees who shared their experiences of what they left behind and what they have created with their communities since resettling in the United States

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2 at 5:30PM

In conjunction with the current exhibit UNPACKED: Refugee Baggage, we are inviting members from the Somali community to lead a discussion about the role storytelling and religion plays in their lives. How does telling stories and faith help displaced people?

Speakers will include new Americans from the local Somali community, representatives from the Vermont Field Office of U.S. Committee on Refugees, as well as Vermont author, Brad Kessler, whose recent novel (North) engages the Somali community and raises questions of asylum, religion, and activism. Come meet your neighbors and learn as well how you can help new immigrants to Vermont.

THURSDAY, APRIL 7 at 10:00AM

How is "art" both part of ongoing processes of imperialism, racism, and economic exploitation AND a potential means for redressing such harms? This question is taken up in the film White Cube, which follows the Cercle d'art des Travailleurs de Plantation Congolaise who create sculptures that are sold on the European art market and whose proceeds allow them to buy back land that had been used as commercial plantations in the Congo.

Attend a virtual conversation about the possibilities and practicalities of creating reparations programs in an artistic community. UVM English professor Loka Losambe will moderate a discussion with the director of White Cube, Renzo Martens, and an artist from the CATPC collective, Matthieu Kasiama in conversation with Cleophace Mukeba from Vermont Racial Justice Alliance and Virginie Diambou from the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity.

Those who register for the event will be able to watch the film online in the ten days before the event, via a code that the Fleming will distribute.

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13 at 5:30PM

Please note: Seating is limited for this event.

Join Dark Goddess photographer and poet Shanta Lee Gander, UVM dance faculty Millie Heckler, and student performers for an immersive evening of storytelling and performance that asks the audience to consider: Would your ears and your eyes recognize the Dark Goddess if you encountered her