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and the Utermohlen exhibition explores the various
stages of this wonderful artist’s memory loss and his
resiliency in continuing to make art.
More Than a Survivor: More Than a Story
looks
at the success stories of 22 women, including two
Loyola alumni, who were able to leave behind a life
that really can’t be described as anything other than
hopeless. Nevertheless, they managed with their own
inner strength and some helping hands to find hope
again.
William Castellana: Williamsburg
is a photo essay
on the orthodox observant life of Jews in South
Williamsburg, Brooklyn and its contrast to secular
society. Here, we see the day-to-day street lives
of people who are outwardly different than their
neighbors in their religious and cultural traditions,
but very similar in embodying what community life
is all about. Different, yet similar, much like we saw in
our 2015 exhibition on the Shakers.
The great news is that human beings, even in spite
of the media’s endless barrage of somber stories,
have an unlimited capacity to strive to make a better
world, not just for themselves, but for everyone. But
figuring out what is morally and ethically right is the
hardest thing to do. Who can guide us in making this
decision? How do we determine if “my right” is also
“your right”? And is my right the right of a hopeful
existence a hundred years from now? These are
deeply and thoroughly human questions springing
from a tree of life that has regrettably splintered into
fractious self-interests.
I am impressed with the young people, our Loyola
students, who work with us day-to-day at LUMA.
They are a concerned group whose ethics and
commitment are apparent not only at work, but
also in their commitment to acting responsibility
with a broader view of the future. And that includes
not only hard work but the expectation that they
will be participants in the health of the planet and
the health of our human experience. These have
been lessons they have learned at home, but also at
Loyola University Chicago. We at LUMA share the
concerns of the university to educate young people to
respond to the world, and I personally think that our
exhibitions are one way to do it. My best wishes for
everyone in 2016 are all of the above!
Pamela E. Ambrose
Director
Courtesy of GEMS, New York City