The University of Wisconsin-Superior’s Human Behavior, Justice and Diversity Department will host the exhibit “Waiting for Beds” beginning March 7 in the Kruk Gallery. 

“Waiting For Beds” is a multimedia collaborative art project between artists Moira Villiard and Carla Hamilton as they “delve into the tumultuous and vicious cycles of mental health crisis, public health and the healthcare and social systems that are at odds in American society. It features mixed media work by the artists, data and survey responses, as well as an embedded community component.”

This is extremely relevant to the campus community and region, which has perpetually been under resourced and tends to invest in response versus prevention.

A gallery reception with the artists will take place Thursday, March 7, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Kruk Gallery. The exhibit will run through March 31.

On Thursday, March 21, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Kruk Gallery, a discussion on current experiences with the mental health crisis in Douglas County will take place. This free event open to the community will be facilitated by the UW-Superior social work program and will feature Randy Barker, UW-Superior director of health, counseling & well-Being, and Chrissy Barnard, president of NAMI Lake Superior South Shore.

The Kruk Gallery is open Monday through Friday, 2 to 6 p.m and is in Holden Fine Arts Center at 1805 Catlin Ave. in Superior.

The Human Behavior, Justice and Diversity Department (HBJD) encompasses Social Work, Psychology, Legal Studies, Criminal Justice and First Nation Studies. Faculty members in the HBJD Department provide in-depth knowledge and expertise while sharing real-world experience on current subject topics.