Join us for the opening reception of Sacrum from 6-8pm - the first exhibition in Union Hall’s 2023 Rough Gems series!
During the opening reception there will be a live poetry reading by Emelihter Kihleng. Emelihter will read a selection of her poems that explore the themes of Sacrum along with other topics such as textiles, identity, and love. Scroll down to learn more about Emeli.
Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.
About Sacrum
Guest curated by Jenny Nagashima, Sacrum unravels the layers of intimacy surrounding the universal yet unnamable sensations experienced in the womb and the complications that arise in the pursuit of recreating those feelings in our daily lives. By addressing the conflict between comfort and protection the artists in this exhibition demonstrate the nuance of this universal experience and how it shapes the way we engage with ourselves and the communities to which we belong.
Featured artists include Ariella Asher, Emily Zeek, Jenna Annunziato, Jess Díaz, Kimberley Bianca, and Summer Jean King.
Emelihter Kihleng
is a Pacific Islander poet, curator, scholar and teacher. She is the Mellon Fellow for Oceanic Arts at the Denver Art Museum, and was previously the first Curatorial Research Fellow, Oceania at MARKK Museum am Rothenbaum in Hamburg, Germany. Emeli recently co-curated Urohs Fever as part of a larger Micronesian arts focused exhibition Air Canoe for the 10th Asia Pacific Triennial at the Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane, Australia. She earned her PhD in Pacific Studies from Victoria University of Wellington in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2015. Her poetry has been published in various literary journals and anthologies. Emeli’s first collection of poetry, My Urohs, was published by Kahuaomānoa Press in 2008 and she co-edited the first anthology of writing by indigenous Micronesians, Indigenous Literatures from Micronesia (University of Hawai'i Press, 2019).
Accessibility & Location
We value your time with us. If you have specific needs or requirements that would make your experience more comfortable at Union Hall please reach out to us at info@unionhalldenver.org with accommodation requests.
Union Hall is located inside the first floor of The Coloradan in downtown Denver at 1750 Wewatta Street, Suite 144. There are two entrances to the building equipped with power assist doors and all public areas are wheelchair accessible. Street parking is available along Wewatta Street. Paid public parking is located in the building garage on the corner of Wewatta & 18th Street with wheelchair accessible spaces. Union Hall is located directly next to the Union Station train tracks, providing access to a variety of public transportation options including the bus, light rail, train, and ride shares. If you have trouble locating us on the day of the event call us at (720) 927-4033.
The gallery will be lit by spotlights placed on the artwork and furniture, and low dim overhead lights on the floors. Sound elements and music will playing from several points at a low to moderate volume. You will be surrounded by artwork on the walls and floors. Several ADA accessible seating areas will be available from benches and couches, to single seating chairs. Artwork and furniture should not inhibit your ability for movement throughout the space, and all areas of the gallery will remain ADA accessible during the opening reception, and for the duration of the exhibition.