In partnership with San Jose State University, Fairfield University will present a special event that will explore the emotional toll of war through the lens of Ukrainian children’s artwork.
Fairfield University’s DiMenna-Nyselius Library and Center for Social Impact, in partnership with the School of Information at San Jose State University, will present a special exhibition viewing, documentary screening, and discussion highlighting the experiences of children in the Cherkasy region of Ukraine since the onset of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian War. This event will take place on Monday, Nov. 25, at 7 p.m. in the lower level of the DiMenna-Nyselius Library, and is free and open to the public.
A selection of Ukrainian children's artwork from an art therapy initiative titled Children Draw War, Not Flowers, will be on view with a tour led by San Jose State University’s Ulia Gosart, PhD, and Sara Clair. The exhibition offers a window into the emotional and psychological impact of conflict on young minds.
Following the tour, at 7:30 p.m., there will be a screening of A Woman at War, a short documentary by Ukrainian filmmaker Volodymyr Sydko. The film chronicles the harrowing experiences of a female soldier on the front lines, and the bravery and resilience of those enduring the hardships of war.
After the film, attendees are invited to participate in a discussion about the emotional and social impact of war on children and families in Ukraine, as well as the role of art and storytelling in healing and raising awareness of critical issues.
The exhibit will be on view at the library until the end of the fall semester. Prior to arriving in Fairfield, it was showcased at Loyola Marymount University, and will travel next to the University of South Florida in early spring.
Ulia Gosart (Popova), PhD, is an associate professor at San Jose State University, and a distinguished scholar, writer and human rights activist. She earned a bachelor of arts in librarianship from Kiev University of Culture and Arts, Ukraine; a master of science in library and information science from Southern Connecticut State University, and a PhD in information studies from University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Since the start of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Dr. Gosart has supported Ukrainian libraries through fundraising, thematic events and publications focused on preserving and promoting Ukrainian cultural heritage.
For more information and to register to attend, please visit the DiMenna-Nyselius Library at Fairfield University.
