Students with the exhibition 'Eyes Wide Open' on Indy Media Live!

Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee’s widely-acclaimed exhibition on the human cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, features a pair of empty boots honoring each U.S. military casualty. The exhibit started in January 2004 when the US casualties in Iraq numbered 500. As the casualties grew so did the exhibit and it toured the country extensively until May 2007, when the casualties in Iraq numbered 3500 and it was determined to split the exhibit up into smaller state-based exhibits. Eyes Wide Open has been seen by millions of people across the country and has involved thousands of volunteers. Eyes Wide Open continues to tell the story of the human cost of war in 46 states with boots representing US deaths in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and shoes representing Iraqi and Afghan civilians. The exhibition will take place October the 3rd from 10am – 3pm at 4500 Kensington Ave., Richmond VA 23221 804.358.6185




THE POWER OF THE ORISHAS OPENS OCTOBER 1
Helene Ruiz' curation of paintings by various artists explores visual interpretations of the Orisha (Orisha are spirits or deities that reflect manifestations of God) that represent Yoruba origins of thought and spiritual practice in West Africa as well as its influences and practices in the Americas. This exibition opens in Elegba Folklore Society's Cultural Center, 101 East Broad Street in downtown Richmond on Friday, October 1 with a public reception beginning at 7pm and in conjunction with the kick-ff of the First Fridays ArtWalk season. Live music reflective of the show's thematic will be featured. This exhibition will run through December 31.


Elegba Folklore Society is a not-for-profit tax-exempt organization purposed to provide educational opportunities through the arts. In addition to exhibitions of art and artifacts, regular programming includes festivals, performances, classes and cultural history tours along the Trail of Enslaved Africans.



Mountain Witness Weekend in Wise County, Oct 8, 9, 10
Stopping mountaintop removal coal mining in Virginia Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards would like to invite everyone to "Weekend In Wise County" on October 8th-10th.

This event is an opportunity to witness mountaintop removal coal mining, to gain knowledge about the area and organizing efforts from a variety of workshops, and to enjoy good food, music and fellowship. As a member of the Wise Energy for Virginia, Sierra Club is pleased to support this event.

Workshop offered will include: History of Southwest Virginia, Mountaintop Removal 101, Understanding the Permitting Process, Community Organizing 101, Economic Transition of Appalachia, Water Testing, and more! Tours of mountaintop removal sites and affected coal camps will be conducted throughout the weekend. Come Friday night for a special presentation of the Beehive Collective's new poster, The True Cost of Coal, which uses images to tell the story of coal in Appalachia.

This event will take place at the Appalachia Civic Center in Appalachia, VA. Contact WeekendinWiseCounty@gmail.com or call 276-523-4380 with any questions. Cost for participation in the weekend is on a sliding scale of $20-$75, with scholarships available.


This event is hosted by the Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards and the Wise Energy for Virginia Coalition.