WAUKESHA – To celebrate Wisconsin’s relationship with its Central American partner, an exhibit of 48 color photographs is touring the state and will be on display at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha October 8-12. Commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners of the Americas organization, “Behind the Mask: The Spirit of a People” depicts the people, lifestyles and landscape of Nicaragua.
Mounted in the UW-Waukesha library located in Northview Hall, the exhibit is open to the public, and there is no admission charge. Library hours are 7:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Friday.
Partner member and documentary photographer, Wade Britzius of Galesville, WI, took the pictures used in this project during a three-week stay in Nicaragua in 1998. Displayed on 12 large panels, they are divided into four thematic groups: Spirit and Ceremony, Faces of the People, Land and Place, and Dignity of Work. Quotations from Nicaraguan literature interspersed with the photos help Britzius achieve his goal of assisting “viewers to be able to see and appreciate our shared humanity with the Nicaraguan people.”
Through this citizen-to-citizen exchange program, Wisconsin residents have shared their expertise, resources, and culture with partners in Nicaragua, and Nicaraguans has done the same, opening their homes and hearts to travelers and teaching their culture and ways.
Located on the isthmus connecting the North and South American continents, Nicaragua is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the east by the Caribbean Sea. Similar in size to Wisconsin, both geographically and in population, the country suffers great poverty and is working on building a democratic type of government and a stronger economy.
The UW-Waukesha University Convocations Committee has sponsored the presentation of the traveling exhibit on campus as part of its Visions & Expressions program series. |
