Exhibition Celebration: Pressing Issues

Pressing Issues Exhibition Celebration with Dr. Ericka Wills and Professor Alexia Kulwiec Join us for an evening of art and dialogue as we celebrate Pressing Issues: Printmaking as Social Justice in 1930s US. The exhibition brings together work by artists who, through their art, produced radical critical commentaries on the social injustices plaguing the country in their time. The event begins at 5 p.m. with a conversation with Dr. Ericka Wills and Professor Alexia Kulwiec from the UW-Madison School of Workers. Together, they'll bring the perspectives of labor organizing and labor law to the exhibition exploring what has, and hasn't, changed for workers since these prints were made. The program will continue with a public reception in the Mead Witter Lobby with complimentary appetizers, a cash bar, and a chance to explore the exhibition. About Dr. Erica Wills: Dr. Erika Wills holds BA in English and Environmental Studies from Illinois Wesleyan University; MS and PhD in English Studies from Illinois State University. As a labor educator and activist, Dr. Wills has worked on education programs, internal organizing, cross-border solidarity, and building worker power during labor disputes for a variety of workers and their unions, from steelworkers to teachers and miners to flight attendants. She offers courses in labor history, globalization, labor film, union leadership, and other topics, both in-person and online. Her research focuses on promoting diversity and equality in the labor movement; addressing COVID workplace changes; advocating for the needs of women workers; and creating transnational alliances with workers and unions that bring people together across borders. Professor Alexia Kulwiec Professor Alexia Kulwiec holds a Juris Doctor, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, L.L.M. University of Arkansas, B.A. in Economics. Alexia previously worked as Chief Counsel to SEIU Local 1 in Chicago, Illinois, and Associate General Counsel at IUOE Local 150 before joining the School for Workers in 2014. In addition to providing labor education programming, Alexia teaches Labor Law at the University of Wisconsin Law School, as well as a Labor and Employment Law survey course. Alexia has also taught Labor Relations at UW-Madison School of Business and Collective Bargaining at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is involved in analyzing and contributing to national labor policy through her publications and amicus curiae brief writing before the National Labor Relations Board, and in submitted federal rulemaking comments. She also currently studies labor standards in U.S. agriculture and the food system and has engaged in applied research involving agricultural workers and other essential workers. While always willing to customize courses for local unions or other advocacy groups, Alexia currently offers programs in labor and employment law, wage and hour claims, union organizing campaigns, contract negotiations and interpretation, grievance arbitration, hearings before the NLRB, internal union governance, women’s leadership, employment discrimination, workers’ compensation and workplace related immigration issues. Frequently Asked Questions: Where should I park? There are several parking garages within a few blocks of the museum. Limited accessible parking stalls are located in front of the building. Contact UW Transportation Services for more information: https://transportation.wisc.edu/visitor-parking/. We are also on several Madison Metro bus routes, and BCycle stations are nearby. Where at the museum is this event? The event will take place in the Chazen's Auditorium. Can I call if I have questions? Yes! You can call the welcome desk to speak with our Visitor Services team at 608-263-2246.