Whether you’ve got a school-age kid or not, these days it’s tough to avoid hearing about bullying. Its causes, its effects, how to change it (or whether we’re overreacting) — bullying everywhere, from our schools and the media to the presidential campaign.
Soon, even the Westport Arts Center will tackle the topic.
An exhibition called “MORE Than Words” opens September 9. Utilizing artists, speakers, panels and films, it examines bullying within a broad cultural context. The exhibit focuses on courage, resilience and empowerment in the face of bullying, and considers how imbalances of social, physical and political power can marginalize others.
The WAC show includes artistic expressions of gender, racial, religious, geopolitical and age inequality, and includes cyber-bullying. The goal is to inspire dialogue and change.
Recognizing that the best responses to bullying are community-wide, the WAC has enlisted the help of important local organizations. They include the Westport Country Playhouse, Westport Library, SKATE/K2BK, Neighborhood Studios of Bridgeport, Anti-Defamation League and Norwalk’s LGBT Triangle Community Center.
Also involved: Athlete Ally and the National Charity League.
Jenny Holzer’s piece in the “MORE Than Words” exhibition.
The exhibit was conceived by board member — and father of 2 young girls — Derek Goodman.
“We’ve all dealt with bullies,” he says. “At the same time, a number of well-known, influential artists have used their work to address it. We hope we’ve put together a platform to open dialogue, so that people in Westport feel comfortable discussing it.”
As the WAC partners with a variety of local organizations, he says, the town has an opportunity to take a leadership role in the battle against bullying.
“We’re not the experts,” he notes of the Westport Arts Center. “But we’re honored to put together a show for experts to help lead the conversation.”
(An opening reception is set for September 9, from 6-8 p.m. The exhibit runs through October 29. For more information on “MORE Than Words,” click here.)
A WONDERFUL IDEA! Congratulations & thanks are due to the Westport Arts Center for organizing & presenting this show.
This is a wonderful idea and very commendable.it would need nice and helpful if visitors are able to write reviews and privately let their schools know if they have been victimized.