The Gallery at Truax will celebrate the creativity and stories of Madison College’s first-generation community with a new art exhibition called “First-Gen Journey,” which showcases artwork by Madison College faculty, staff, students, and alumni who are the first in their families to attend college.
The exhibit, honoring “the triumphs, challenges, hopes, and histories that define the first-gen identity,” will be on display Nov. 6-Dec. 5 at The Gallery at Truax (Room A1005), located near the entrance of the Madison College Truax Building, 1701 Wright St.
Featured artist and Madison College staff member Alan Wiltgen says his painting “Afloat” embodies the challenges, resilience and growth he’s faced as the first in his family to pursue a college education, according to a press release from Madison College.
“Through color, text, and abstraction, I process both personal and collective histories, carrying forward the hopes of those who came before me while opening space for new possibilities,” Wiltgen says. “My work honors the complexity of being first-generation, the struggle, the pride, and the ongoing journey.”
The exhibit is part of a week-long celebration that kicks off with the First-Gen Journey Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 4-7 p.m. at the Mitby Theater, Madison College, Truax (Room A1017). Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy music, spoken word performances, keynote speakers, the Tri-Alpha Honor Society induction ceremony, refreshments and hors d’oeuvres.
Hosted by the college’s Retention Initiatives and Student Engagement (RISE) Office, the event is free and open to the public. To register, click here.
