News Briefs 01-27-23

MFA PRESENTS EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTING WARTIME IN UKRAINE

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, attacks have continued endlessly in different regions of the country, and ordinary citizens have been forced to pick up arms and fight back. Organized in partnership with The Wartime Art Archive at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) NGO in Kyiv, Who Holds Up the Sky? presents the work of artists who have been documenting the war—providing testimony of Russia’s crimes and a glimpse into many Ukrainian citizens’ lives.

Reportage photographs from Vadym Belikov capture Russian missile launches targeting Kharkiv, one of Ukraine’s largest cities. War correspondent Efrem Lukatsky films missiles striking fields where farmers still reap their grain harvests, awaited by trading partners around the world. Yana Kononova documents destruction in the northern region of Kyiv in her series of abstract X-Scapes, and Kostiantyn Polishchuk’s The Night Watch portrays his fellow soldiers on the front lines of the Ukrainian defense. Inga Levi’s graphic series Double exposure juxtaposes news from the warfront with sketches of civilians’ everyday routines.

The exhibition also highlights Behind Blue Eyes, a project started by Dima Zubkov and Artem Skorohodko, volunteers who distribute food and supplies to residents in liberated Ukrainian villages. The pair provided disposable cameras to children and teens in Lukashivka, in the Chernihiv region, asking them to document their lives for a week. Paired with interviews about the children’s dreams and hopes for the future, the resulting images—of family and friends, bombed houses, flowers still blooming amid destruction, and selfies on tanks—capture the many facets of their complex reality. The title of the project, taken from a Limp Bizkit cover of a song by The Who, refers to hiding internal negative emotions, worries, and rage under a completely normal appearance and condition; the color blue signifies the sky.

Together, all of these works create a collective portrait of the wartime experience—paying tribute to those who, in the curators’ words, are “holding up the sky over Ukraine.”

Nominate a Young Conservationist

Do you know an outstanding youth who is an advocate for wildlife and conservation? Nominations are now being accepted for the Young Conservationist Award, presented by Zoo New England.

As part of the celebration of Zootopia, Zoo New England’s annual fundraising gala, zoo staff is excited to announce that applications are now being accepted for the Young Conservationist Award. The nominated youth should be enrolled in grades 3 through 12, have demonstrated a positive commitment to conservation at large and/or Zoo New England’s mission, and have engaged in some outstanding action to support this. The award, which includes a $2,500 scholarship to further the recipient’s project and conservation work, will be presented at Zootopia on June 10 at Franklin Park Zoo. The winner and two adults will receive complimentary tickets to Zootopia to participate in the awards ceremony.

“We are honored to once again present the Young Conservationist Award to an outstanding youth who is making a difference for wildlife and the environment,” said John Linehan, President and CEO of Zoo New England. “A cornerstone of the Zoo is to protect the natural world and cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards. Our past winners have been inspiring young individuals who share this mission and we can’t wait to continue this tradition.”  

The Young Conservationist Award are being accepted through Friday, April 7, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. Nomination forms are available at https://www.zoonewengland.org/zootopia. Please email questions to [email protected].

Zootopia is Zoo New England’s annual fundraising gala. This year’s event, to be held at Franklin Park Zoo on June 10 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m., promises to be an unforgettable evening. The gala begins with an auction, followed by catered tasting stations and dancing. Attendees are encouraged to wear animal-inspired attire.

Zootopia will directly benefit Zoo New England’s Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo and will help to further the Zoos’ mission to inspire and educate the next generation of conservation stewards and leaders.

To purchase tickets or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit https://www.zoonewengland.org/zootopia or call 617-379-5190.

MVES hosts free virtual health events

Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) will present two FREE virtual workshop series in January and February 2023.

“Healthy Eating for Successful Living” will be held on Tuesdays, January 31 to February 28 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Learn how to connect virtually through a Zoom platform and take this free class from the comfort of your home.

Throughout the series, you’ll learn more about how nutrition, physical activity and lifestyle changes can promote better health. This virtual workshop series focuses on heart- and bone-healthy nutrition strategies to help maintain or improve wellness and prevent chronic disease development or progression in older adults. Healthy Eating uses the USDA’s MyPlate as a framework.

“My Life; My Health,” a FREE virtual chronic disease self-management workshop series, will be held Monday, February 6 to March 20, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (No class on Feb. 20.) Learn how to connect virtually through a Zoom platform and take this free class from the comfort of your home. You don’t want chronic disease, pain or discomfort to limit the activities and life you enjoy.

The series is for anyone living with an ongoing medical condition, such as arthritis, asthma, chronic back pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, COPD, diabetes, fibromyalgia, heart disease, high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease, or stroke. Topics will include managing and controlling pain, beginning (or improving) an exercise program, handling stress and learning to relax, increasing energy, and eating for your health and wellbeing.  

Class size is limited for both workshop series, so reserve your spot today. To register, or if you have any questions about the program, contact Donna Covelle at [email protected] or call 781-388-4867.

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