The occupation of Afghanistan and the now concluded occupation of Iraq continue to leave deep scars in the hearts and minds of many Americans. The National Veterans Art Museum is bringing these emotional and psychological scars into the spotlight with the third annual installment of IN WAR.
This year IN WAR examines intergenerational trauma; the passing of mass traumas from one generation to the next. Trauma takes a profound psychological and physical toll on survivors that has ramifications for decades.
The apex of IN WAR is Welcome Home, a joint exhibition by Dr. Charles Smith, a Vietnam veteran, and Ash Kyrie, an Iraq veteran, opening at the National Veterans Art Museum on Veterans Day, November 11, 2012.
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Download the full list of events.
IN WAR: INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA | Full List of Events
NOVEMBER 8 | 6-8PM | Free to veterans and loved ones
Veterans’ Round Table on Intergenerational Trauma | Discussion
National Veterans Art Museum, 4041 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
Artists and veterans Dr. Charles Smith and Ash Kyrie featured in the new NVAM exhibition Welcome Home invite veterans of all generations to join them in a discussion on the impacts of trauma on the veterans’ community and American society.
NOVEMBER 8 - 11 | 8PM Thursday & Friday 3PM Saturday & Sunday | $10 Tickets
Trajectories | Theatrical Performance
Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave,. Chicago
Trajectories examines the war in Iraq through the eyes of a US soldier and an Iraqi civilian and finds where their experiences intersect. This work of stunning physical theatre is based on interviews with Chicago Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans and Iraqi refugees.
NOTE: Tickets for veterans and active duty service members as well as self-identifying members of the Iraqi community are id="mce_marker"0. There is a pay-what-you-can (no minimum) preview performance on Wednesday, November 7 @ 8 PM.
More Information: www.EVETarts.org/trajectories
NOVEMBER 11 - Veterans Day | 1-5PM | Free to the public
Welcome Home | Exhibition Opening
National Veterans Art Museum, 4041 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
The passing of trauma from one generation to another leaves physical and psychological scars on survivors that has ramifications for decades. In this joint exhibition, Dr. Charles Smith, a Vietnam veteran, and Ash Kyrie, an Iraq veteran, begin a dialog that explores the disconnect between civilians and the war being conducted in their name, and reveal their shared relationship to the perpetuation of trauma across generations.
More Information
NOVEMBER 14 | 7-9PM | Free to the public
Vet Art Project Community Showcase: Intergenerational Trauma | Community Showcase
Chicago Cultural Center, Garland Room, 78 E. Washington St. Chicago, IL
A showcase of creative work reflecting on the military experience by veterans, their loved ones, and community members.
More information: http://www.vetartproject.com/
NOVEMBER 15 | 2PM | Free to the public
Book Reading by Craig Smith | Reading
National Veterans Art Museum, 4041 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL
Craig Smith will read from his book Counting the Days: POWs, Internees, and Stragglers of the World War Two in the Pacific, telling the story of six prisoners of war imprisoned by both sides during the conflict the Japanese called the Pacific War.
As in all wars, the prisoners were civilians as well as military personnel. Two of the prisoners were captured on the second day of the war and spent the entire war in prison camps: Garth Dunn, a young Marine captured on Guam who faced a death rate in a Japanese prison 10 times that in battle; and Ensign Kazuo Sakamaki, who suffered the ignominy of being Japanese POW number 1. Simon and Lydia Peters were European expatriates living in the Philippines; the Japanese confiscated their house and belongings, imprisoned them, and eventually released them to a harrowing jungle existence caught between Philippine guerilla raids and Japanese counterattacks. Mitsuye Takahashi was a U.S. citizen of Japanese descent living in Malibu, California, who was imprisoned by the United States for the duration of the war, disrupting her life and separating her from all she owned. Masashi Itoh was a Japanese soldier who remained hidden in the jungles of Guam, held captive by his own conscience and beliefs until 1960, 15 years after the end of the war. This is the story of their struggles to stay alive, the small daily triumphs that kept them going-and for some, their almost miraculous survival.
NOVEMBER 17 | 6-8PM | Free to the public
In War by Warrior Art Group | Exhibition Opening
Schoenherr Gallery, North Central College, 171 E Chicago Ave, Naperville
A collection of works by members of the Warrior Art Group including Aaron Hughes, Drew Cameron, Ehren Tool, Erica Slone, Iris Feliciano, Michael Dooley, and Thomas Dang.
Open hours: Mon 10 - 6, Tue - Fri 10 - 9, Sat 10 - 6, Sun 12 - 5
Closing: January 6th 2013
More information: http://www.warriorartgroup.com/
NOVEMBER 17 | 1-3PM | Admission $5
Poster Girl | Film Screening
Pritzker Military Library, 104 South Michigan Ave., Chicago
A screening of the Oscar - and Emmy - nominated documentary film Poster Girl followed by Q&A.
The film spotlights Robynn Murray’s journey from upstate New York high school cheerleader and National Merit Scholar to Iraq War U.S. Army gunner to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder sufferer to visual artist whose unique “combat paper” pieces hang in the NVAM galleries.
More information about the film: http://www.postergirlthemovie.com/
NOVEMBER 17 | 4-7PM | Free to veterans and loved ones
Body Be Well | Workshop
Albany Park Community Center, 5101 N. Kimball Ave., Chicago
Fight or Flight, Understanding the Body’s Response to Stress – An interactive workshop including how to cope with stress as a veteran, how to understand and support your veteran as a loved one, and how to create more space in your body for health and healing.
- Free Shiatsu treatments provided by Zen Shiatsu Chicago – On-site registration required before 4 pm. First come, first serve.
- Children’s Play Space – Provided by Columbia College Chicago, Department of Dance/Movement Therapy & Counseling
- Resource and Information Tables – Free veterans’ health and wellness resources from community groups and local organizations.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/
NOVEMBER 20 | 7-8:30PM | Free to the public
Understanding Intergenerational Trauma, Lessons from Belfast | Presentation
National Veterans Art Museum, 4041 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
An overview of lessons that can be learned from the initiatives within Belfast communities to negotiate public space, address intergenerational trauma, and move beyond trauma. This presentation by Suellen Semekoski will address research of public art, socially engaged community arts programming, and the role of art as a catalyst for changing the neurologically worn narratives of the social body. Specifically, the work in marginalized community of East Belfast by Creative Change Northern Ireland will be highlighted.
More information about Creative Change Northern Irland: www.creativechangeni.com
DECEMBER 1 | Time TBA | Free to veterans and loved ones I Registration is required Contact Suellen Semekoski -
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An Introduction to Nonviolence | Workshop
Berwyn VFW, Upper Hall, 1529 S. Harlem Ave. Berwyn
A workshop that aims to provide tools for healthy relationships and create a new society. This half day workshop for veterans, family, friends and those that love veterans. This half day workshop will offer an introduction to Nonviolence as presented by Pace e Bene. This workshops aims to provide tools for more healthy relationships and create a new society as participants tap their fearlessness and empathy — and unleash the power of nonviolent change. This free workshop will be lead by Ken Butigan and Suellen Semekoski. Registration is required
More information: https://www.facebook.com/VetCAT
