The significant role women have played over time is explored in the new exhibition The History of Woman, on view from May 30, 2012, through June 23, 2012, at Fairfield University’s Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery, located in the Quick Center for the Arts. The exhibition is presented by Montage Initiative, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization headquartered in Bridgeport, CT, and London, England, and its Traveling Art Gallery (TAG) program. Montage Initiative is dedicated to providing impoverished and disadvantaged women and families around the globe with expanded opportunities to earn a sustainable living. TAG is one of the organization’s unique programs, offering space and materials for artists to create and exhibit their art.

The History of Woman features works by local artists, students, and faculty in celebration of cultural acceptance and individual expression. The Quick Center’s stewardship of this project and its relationship with Montage Initiative is an important, multi-faceted collaboration that aims for prompt discussion on globalization and increased awareness about extreme poverty and sustainable development. The History of Woman is the capstone event of the Quick Center’s involvement in Fairfield University’s Global Citizenship initiative. During this period, from June 11-15, 2012, Fairfield University is hosting the 3rd Biennial JUHAN (Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network) Student Leadership Conference: Global Perspectives on Humanitarian Action.An estimated 200 students, faculty and staff will be attending the conference from Jesuit Universities globally and nationally to visit the exhibition. Montage Initiative’s attention is currently focused on the plight of the widows in the Indian providence of Vrindavan, although it endeavors to alleviate the reality of extreme poverty worldwide by rallying support and awareness and promoting peace building.

The Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery is free and open to the public. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays from noon to 4 p.m., and approximately one hour prior to curtain and during intermission at all Quick Center events. The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts is located on the campus of Fairfield University at 1073 North Benson Road in Fairfield, Connecticut. Entrance to the Quick Center is through the Barlow Road gate at 200 Barlow Road. Free, secure parking is available. Access for people with disabilities is available throughout the Quick Center. Fairfield University is located off exit 22 of Interstate-95. For further information and directions, call (203) 254-4010 or 1-877-278-7396, or visit www.fairfield.edu/quick.

In conjunction with the The History of Woman exhibition, there will be a reading at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 31, 2012, at the Fairfield University Bookstore, by author Julie Barbero Mughal, Assistant Director for the Center for Faith & Public Life at Fairfield University, from her book “Land Without Hats,” a collection of oral histories from women around the world, exploring what it means to be a widow in different cultures. Accompanying the reading will be demonstrations by The History of Woman exhibiting artists Anna Linley, Reiki Master, and Diane Platt, sculptor. Free admission. The Fairfield University Bookstore is located at 1499 Post Rd. in Fairfield, CT. All sales of “Land Without Hats” at this event will benefit the Montage Initiative and its programs. Sponsored by The Montage Initiative and Fairfield University’s Center for Faith and Public Life.