University Libraries to Host Traveling HIV/AIDS Poster Exhibit

University Libraries to Host Traveling HIV/AIDS Poster Exhibit

University Libraries at The University of Toledo will host a traveling exhibition, AIDS, Posters & Stories of Public Health: A People's History of a Pandemic, from June 1 through July 10 across two campus locations.

The exhibition will be on display at the Carlson Library North Gallery from June 1-20, followed by the Mulford Library from June 21-July 10.

Produced by the National Library of Medicine, the exhibit explores the history of HIV/AIDS through public health posters created by artists, activists and community organizations.

These works document how visual art and storytelling have been used to raise awareness, encourage prevention and support communities affected by the ongoing global pandemic.

Originally developed with guest curator Theodore Kerr, the exhibit highlights the role of personal narratives, grassroots advocacy and collective action in shaping public understanding of HIV/AIDS.

The posters reflect decades of public health messaging and underscore a central message that remains urgent today: AIDS is not over.

The exhibition coincides with Pride Month, offering an important opportunity to reflect on the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on LGBTQIA+ communities and the critical role these communities have played in activism, education and care.

In addition to the traveling poster exhibit, University Libraries will present complementary materials drawn from campus and regional collections, including:

• Historical campus newspaper clippings and archival letters

• Photographs and visual materials

• A curated book display

• Film content exploring the history and impact of HIV/AIDS from Holly Hey, a film professor at UToledo

• Current information from the Ryan White Program and UToledo Health Care Clinic

Together, these materials provide insight into how the HIV/AIDS epidemic has affected The University of Toledo campus and the surrounding community, placing local experiences in conversation with national and global histories.

The exhibition is free and open to the public.

In addition, Dr. Mysoon Rizk, a professor of art history, will present an accompanying lecture, "Parasites Found: 'Diseased Society' in the Work of David Wojnarowicz," on Tuesday, June 16, at 3 p.m. in the Carlson Library Main Event Space, Room 1005.

The National Library of Medicine produced this exhibition and companion website.

For more information about the traveling exhibition, visit the National Library of Medicine's exhibit page at: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/AIDS-posters.