With over 7,000 languages worldwide, art remains the one language that truly connects us all.
So, what does art mean to you? Is it a way to escape from the daily noise, a form for your deepest thoughts or simply something fun to do? For the children participating in the Artolution program, art becomes all this and more.
Artolution is a nonprofit organization that engages vulnerable communities through collaborative art-making. The organization debuted its international art exhibit, focused on the refugee experience, at the United Nations Headquarters in 2024. Now, in collaboration with Fairfield University’s Center for Social Impact the art show is coming to Fairfield.
The exhibit opened Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 5:00 p.m. at Fairfield’s downtown location at 1720 Post Road and will be followed by a panel discussion at 7:00 p.m. at Fairfield Theatre Company’s StageOne venue, with one of the Artolution founders, Max Frieder. The art highlights the need for dialogue around global displacement, particularly within the present day as the United States has shut its doors to refugees.
In 2016, artists Joel Bergner and Max Frieder, while traveling in conflict-affected communities, saw how art could serve as a universal language, which connected people and sparked hope even in the most severe conditions. They also understood that for the impact to be lasting, it had to begin within the community itself. Rooted in this belief, Artolution’s projects unite diverse communities under the idea that art supports healing and provides a safe space for self expression. As artolution.org explains, “Many vulnerable communities lack creative, interactive programming that fosters community building, supports social-emotional development and empowers children to tell their story,” this is where Artolution steps in.
Beyond the artwork itself, Artolution invests in artists by offering training, mentorship and employment opportunities which helps them build sustainable careers. With these initiatives, Artolution brings attention and awareness to urgent social issues.
When speaking with Melissa Quan, the Director of Fairfield University’s Center for Social Impact, she explained the center’s mission is to use the university’s resources to support local and global needs through service, education and research. A key focus of the Center is working on issues related to migrants and refugees. One way the Center is working towards this mission is through the Artolution art exhibit.
The pieces tell stories of trauma, resilience and hope offering viewers a perspective on the refugee experience. Quan emphasized this exhibit as an opportunity for students, faculty and the community to connect what’s been happening globally to our own context here in the United States.
So, want to check out this exhibit? A town trolley will run every 15 minutes, on the opening day starting at 4:30 p.m. from the main campus circle taking students from the campus to the venue. It is also an FYE event, for first year students so don’t miss it.
With so many languages, this exhibit is your chance to listen to those in need, no translation needed.
