The 8th International Distinguished Artists Symposium and Exhibition (IDASE) that was scheduled to kick off on October 25, 2021 is cancelled due to the rise in COVID-19 infections in Connecticut. Ironically, the Fiction, Fabulation, Futurity event at the Joseloff Gallery at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Conn was set to explore social disruptions, particularly pandemics, through words and images.
“We are incredibly disappointed to cancel this highly anticipated cultural event,” said Rico Reyes, former curator and director of the Hartford Art School Galleries at the University of Hartford. “However, it just doesn’t make sense to host a big public event in light of uncertainty caused by the Delta virus variant, combined with the politics of required vaccinations, mask mandates and limited access to the campus.”
Reyes elaborates that the 6-week art exhibition from October 25-December 5, 2021 and symposium on Oct. 28-30, had attracted award-winning artists and authors from around the world. In addition to exhibiting their works, the impressive roster of participants was going to contribute to panel discussions and lead workshops on a variety of artistic expressions.
The Hartford Art School Galleries include the Joseloff Gallery, the Donald and Linda Silpe Gallery, Kaman Print Study Center, and Art on Campus. These exhibition spaces inspire the Connecticut community year-round, and engage with students daily through creative visual experiences. Recent exhibitions have featured the works of Mark Dion, Marina Abramovic, Tracy Emin, Kelly Mark, Natalie Waldburger, and Keith Sonnier. The Joseloff Gallery, located at 200 Bloomfield Avenue in West Hartford, is open Monday through Thursday, 12-6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 12-5 pm. Visit https://www.hartford.edu/academics/schools-colleges/art/galleries/default.aspx for more information.