FAU University Galleries Presents ‘Political Circus’

The University Galleries in Florida Atlantic University’s Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters presents “Political Circus 2024” from Saturday, Oct. 5 through Sunday, Nov. 24 in the Schmidt Center Gallery, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton.

An opening reception, including light refreshments and a durational performance by Misael Soto and Iván Sikic, will take place on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

“Political Circus 2024” showcases election-related artwork and popular culture items, continuing a series from 2008, 2016, and 2020. The exhibition features work by local and national artists alongside anonymous commercial items such as bumper stickers, t-shirts, and digital media.

Organized into categories like "The Divided State of America" and "Cults of Personality," the exhibition aims to spark dialogue and critical reflection on American politics and culture. It includes items expressing hope and affirmation, as well as those using controversial tactics to influence public opinion.

Co-curated by Lisa Rockford of Rockford Projects and Jane Caputi, Ph.D., Professor of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies at FAU, with Jordan Thompson, Ph.D., candidate in Psychology, as Curatorial Assistant, the exhibition's educational purpose aligns with the Smithsonian Museum of American History's mission to document "the infinite richness and complexity of American history."

"Political Circus 2024" invites visitors to consider how popular culture reflects and shapes the ongoing process of "making and remaking America," contributing to discussions about truth, desirability, and the nation's future.

There will be three public events in association with the exhibition:

• Panel Discussion:
  "The Political Circus, Human Rights and Presidential Campaigns (2008-2024)" Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 2 - 3:30 p.m.
  Panelists: Peyton Sibert, Karen Leader, Luisa Turbino Torres, Jane Caputi, and Allan Barsky
  
  
• Panel Discussion:
  "Come Join the (Political) Circus" Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 11a.m. - 12:15 p.m. 
  Panelists: Jane Caputi, Sika Dagbovie-Mullins, Jordan Thompson, and Robert Caputi
  
  
• Comic Workshop with Artist Christopher Sperandio. Friday, Oct. 25 from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.

All events, including the opening reception, panel discussions, and workshops, are free and open to the public.

FAU’s University Galleries are open Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. School and group tours can be scheduled by appointment by contacting Helen Edmunds at UGMuseumEd@fau.edu. The Schmidt Center Gallery is located in the Performing Arts building (Building 51), near the Living Room Theaters. Daytime visitors must obtain a temporary one-day parking pass online for $5 at http://parking.fau.edu to park in Parking Garage 2 for Schmidt Center Gallery. Metered parking in the lot just north of the entrance to Parking Garage 2 is available via the ParkMobile app with credit or debit card payment.    

The 2024-25 University Galleries Exhibitions and Programs are supported by the Isadore and Kelly Friedman University Galleries Fund and sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Museum Education Programs are made possible by the Kaye Arts Integration Endowment.  For more information, call 561-297-2661, email vcote@fau.edu or visit www.fau.edu/galleries.