What makes someone leave family, friends, and a familiar way of life behind? What would it take for you to say goodbye to the people you love and embark on a journey to a place you have never seen, many miles from your home? The decision to leave can be both the most frightening and the bravest step of a lifetime. Often such moves are seen as taking steps to improve one’s circumstances. Yet, for many people, the decision to relocate is often made because one’s survival depends on it. In those instances, our bodies carry us forward—our small steps, the breath rising and falling in our chests, build into a journey of significance. These physical movements can ultimately reverberate over generations, altering the fabric of societies, creating new communities, and melding cultures.  

This year's theme, "Movement," prompts viewers to consider the profound impact of physical journeys, both personal and collective. Reflecting on what compels people to leave their homes, the exhibition examines migration as a transformative force that shapes communities, melds cultures, and redefines societal landscapes. Through various mediums, including painting, sculpture, video and mixed media, selected artists explore themes of resilience, change and the legacies of movement that resonate across generations.