Gerardo Hernandez of the Cuban 5 

Opening May 4th at Dominion Gallery — 7:00 pm — 804 E. Wright St., Milwaukee. 

Gerardo Hernandez is one of the ‘Cuban Five’ serving a total of four life sentences plus 77 years in U.S. penitentiaries for blowing the whistle on “anti-Castro” terrorists operating out of Miami.  Former President Jimmy Carter and ten Nobel laureates –along with grass-roots committees in scores of countries– have called for the Five’s unconditional release.  Gerardo (sentenced to more than two life terms) has already spent 13 years in prison –two of them in solitary confinement. What’s more, he’s been denied any and all visits from his family.  Yet his unbuckling response is one of art and humor –presented here in 32 pieces along with a full-sized replica of his prison cell.  For more on the Cuban 5, please visit www.freethefive.org.

The gallery is open May 4 – 26, 2012.  See below for a month-long listing of events!  (Donations welcome)

Friday, May 4: 7:00 pm: Exhibit opening!  Featuring special guest speakers Ald. Nik Kovac, Arthur Heitzer (National Lawyers Guild – Cuba Subcommittee), and Spike Bandy (Mayor of Riverwest).

Saturday, May 5: 7:00 pm: Film showing: “Roots of My Heart,” an independently produced short feature film on The Independents of Color, this hemisphere’s first black political party outside of Haiti.

Friday, May 11: 7:00 pm: Community open mic/poetry slam, as well as a film showing of “Salud,” a film on human values and health issues which specifically focuses on Cuba, a cash-strapped country with what the BBC calls ‘one of the world’s best health systems.’

Saturday, May 12: 7:00 pm:  Film showing of “In The Wrong Body” with guest presenter Valery Jean Meyer.  This film tells the story of Mavi Susel, the first transgender person to receive a sex reassignment operation in Cuba.  Also, “Loud & Proud,” a call for justice for our GBLT children, presented by Stonie Rivera.

Friday, May 18: 7:00 pm:  Featuring speaker Alicia Jrapko (International Committee for the Freedom of The Cuban 5).

Saturday, May 19: 7:00 pm:  Featuring Poet Eric Disambwa, hosted by special guest Alicia Jrapko.

Friday, May 25: 7:00:  Farewell reception.  Film showing of “Eyes of the Rainbow,” the story of Assata Shakur, a Black Panther who escaped from prison and was given political asylum in Cuba, where she currently resides.

Saturday, May 26: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm:  Last Call!  End of exhibit.