Wheaton Library exhibit focuses on stories of refugees

Wheaton Public Library will host documentary artist James A. Bowey's powerful exhibition, “When Home Won't Let You Stay,” during June and July in the Arts & Culture Center on the library's main floor. The exhibit is funded by the JCS grant through the DuPage Foundation.

Bowey has been traveling the United States meeting refugees, listening to their stories, and photographing their portraits. The photographs are taken on location in a setting of the portrait subject's everyday life. Along with the portrait, Bowey interviews each person and their first-person story accompanies their photograph.

The individuals share stories of violence and loss, as well as perseverance and hope; and their images and experiences produce a compelling human portrait of refugees in America.

The library, 225 N. Cross St., will be hosting an artist's reception for Bowey at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, followed by a special community event at 6:30 p.m. in which Bowey will give a presentation of photography, storytelling and live music to consider the refugee issue, and our responses to the needs of displaced people around the world.

This event will explore how we can bear witness in a contentious world and awaken our empathetic imaginations to the possibilities of hope, liberty and human connection.

In a follow up program, the library will feature a lecture on Immigration Policy and Social Media given by Sabryna Cornish of North Central College and College of DuPage at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 18.

Registration is required for both programs at wheatonlibrary.org/calendar or by calling (630) 868-7520. For more information on the exhibit, visit https://wheatonlibrary.org/content/when-home-wont-let-you-stay or https://jamesbowey.atavist.com/home.