Life
Missouri State University Hosts Stand with Ukraine Exhibit
Visit Missouri State University’s Carolla Arts Exhibition Center to see a curated collection of 102 posters from artists around the world featuring messages of support for the citizens of Ukraine.
by Michelle Lewis
Aug 29 2022 at 8 a.m.
Photo by Michelle Lewis
The Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted individuals from around the world to show their support for Ukraine in a variety of ways. One of the most popular types of support came in the form of artwork.
Olga Severina, the founder of Posterterritory, has curated shows across the United States to highlight this form of support. Passing through Springfield, the Stand with Ukraine exhibit brings a unique collection of posters to the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center.
“There is something historical and beautiful about that building, and to occupy it with art like this is really meaningful,” says Jodi McCoy, director of exhibitions at Missouri State University.
Exhibits at Missouri State University are scheduled two years in advance. When cancellations arose this year, Masha Gerasimchuk-Djordjevic, assistant professor of illustration and design at Missouri State University, wanted to bring a show to Springfield to showcase artwork centered around the Russia-Ukraine War.
Photo by Michelle Lewis
From Ukraine herself, Gerasimchuk-Djordjevic wanted to give artists who were experiencing the war firsthand a space to display their thoughts and feelings. With the intensity of the situation though, she knew this would be a difficult process.
“How do you approach artists to display their artwork in a few months when they don’t know if they will be alive tomorrow?” says Gerasimchuk-Djordjevic.
The 4th Block Graphic Designers Association partnered with Posterterritory and created an international open call for artists. The call asked artists to design a poster that expressed how they felt about the Russia-Ukraine War. Severina has received almost 1,000 submissions since beginning the initiative.
In early August, Severina and Gerasimchuk-Djordjevic began organizing a show for Springfield in the opening that arose months prior at the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center. The show includes 100 posters and two large pieces from artists around the world.
Stand with Ukraine is on display at the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center through Sept. 7. The showing will be open for First Friday Artwalk on Sept. 2 from 6–9 p.m. To view a list of artists and to donate to partnered organizations visit the Poster Territory website.
