Southern Connecticut State University welcomes back Dr. Ulia Gosart, a 2005 graduate of Southern’s Information and Library Science program, for a three-day campus residency from October 6–8. Gosart is the curator of “Children Draw War, Not Flowers” — a powerful traveling exhibition of Ukrainian children’s art on display at Hilton C. Buley Library through the end of October.
The exhibition features more than 60 drawings created by Ukrainian children between the ages of 6 and 18, offering a raw and emotional portrayal of war, trauma, displacement, and hope. Originally consisting of over 450 works, the exhibit has been shown at institutions across the country, amplifying the voices of children living through conflict.
The artworks emerged from a drawing competition that engaged children from internally displaced communities of the Cherkasy region. The competition was an opportunity for many boys and girls who were forced to leave their relatives and friends, who lost their homes, who were uprooted from their usual life by the war, and who probably experienced tragic losses, to share their pain by telling their stories. The competition was both therapy and creative activity at the same time. The children drew Ukraine — the way it is today and the way the children dream of it.
Gosart, born and raised in Cherkasy, Ukraine, holds a BA in librarianship from Kyiv University of Culture and Art (Ukraine); an MLIS from Southern Connecticut State University, and a PhD from UCLA. She teaches at the iSchool at San Jose State University. Since 2022, she has supported Ukrainian colleagues through fundraising, book donations, on-the-ground support, and online resources together with her students and colleagues.
On Wednesday, October 8, from 3-5 p.m., Gosart will be at the exhibit engaging with visitors and answering questions. All are welcome to attend. The exhibit is located on the main floor of Buley Library, adjacent to the Research and Information service desk, to the rear of the main (entrance) floor.
