What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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8 WHAT'S UP! MARCH 1-7, 2020 Varying Voices Vital FEATURE 'For Freedoms' conversations consider communal differences JOCELYN MURPHY NWA Democrat-Gazette Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, Freedom from Fear I n his 1941 address to Congress, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt cited these as the four basic human freedoms that would build the foundation for a postwar world. The following year, iconic American artist Norman Rockwell was inspired to illustrate the concepts in his "Four Freedoms" series. In 2016, artists Hank Willis Thomas and Emily Shur pondered what Rockwell's portraits would look like if they reflected today's America. The contemporary works cast diverse representations of the family, community and modes of worship in Rockwell's compositions and spurred the creation of the "For Freedoms" project. The organization's website states that it serves as a hub for artists, arts institutions and citizens who want to be more engaged in public life. "We believe citizenship is defined by participation, not by ideology. Through nonpartisan nationwide programming, we use art as a vehicle for participation to deepen public discussions on civic issues and core values," the mission statement reveals. "They were trying to break down barriers of fear to talk about these things," Sara Segerlin says of Thomas and the organization's co-founder, Eric Gottesman. "They really wanted to encourage that this is part of everybody's daily life is to be able to talk about social issues, but in an inclusive, nonpartisan way — to positively talk about things where people may have differences in opinions." Segerlin is the senior manager of public programs and community engagement at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. The museum's community engagement team is part of a new FAQ For Freedoms Community Conversations WHEN & WHERE — Freedom from Want: 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 5, Hillside Auditorium at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Freedom from Fear: 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 12, Main Theater at Northwest Arkansas Commu- nity College, Bentonville Freedom of Worship: 6-8 p.m. March 19, Main Lobby of The Jones Center, Springdale COST — Free; registration required INFO — 418-5700, crystalbridges. org Thomas Artists Hank Willis Thomas and Emily Shur reimagined Norman Rockwell's historic "Four Freedoms" paintings through the lens of contemporary America. The series and synonymous "For Freedoms" project inspired Crystal Bridges Museum to host a series of panel conversations to engage the community. (Courtesy Photos/Hank Willis Thomas + Emily Shur, and For Freedoms) "Freedom from Fear" "Freedom of Worship"