The Fairfield University Art Museum is currently presenting a major loan exhibition on view through July 25, 2026, as part of a series of cultural and artistic events at Fairfield University commemorating the 250th anniversary—semiquincentennial—of the United States.
For Which It Stands…, features more than 70 works by diverse artists across art movements from the early 20th century to the present day, focusing on depictions of the American flag. The exhibition includes works ranging from Childe Hassam’s Italian Day, May 1918—lent by Art Bridges—to a new textile sculpture by Maria de Los Angeles, commissioned for the exhibition. Works by artists including Jasper Johns, Faith Ringgold, Robert Rauschenberg, Shepard Fairey, and Julie Mehretu challenge viewers to consider who the American flag truly represents and whether justice is available to all. Additional pieces by renowned artists like Emma Amos, Eric Fischl, Glenn Ligon, and many others further enrich the exhibition.
Included works are lent by private collectors, artists, galleries, and institutions such as the Forge Art Project, Columbia University Avery Library, Delaware Museum of Art, The Mattatuck Museum of Art, Bridgeport Public Library, Gordon Parks Foundation, Orlando Museum of Art, Westport Public Art Collections, Yale University Art Gallery, the State of Connecticut’s CT Artists Collection, and the Fairfield University Art Museum’s own collection.
“This exhibition is an opportunity for all of us to examine the narratives that have shaped our country, particularly those that have been overlooked or challenged,” said Carey Mack Weber, executive director of the Fairfield University Art Museum and exhibition curator. “Through these artworks, we invite visitors to engage deeply with the pressing issues of justice, representation, and unity—issues that are as relevant today as they were when our nation was founded.”
This exhibition is made possible by generous support from Connecticut Humanities, Art Bridges, Horizon Kinetics, Maximilian E. & Marion O. Hoffman Foundation, Inc., and Aquarion Water. For Which It Stands… looks at our nation’s history from 1918 to today through the lens of artists from diverse backgrounds and strives to tell as complete a history as possible. The video tour of the exhibition, available on the Museum’s website and YouTube channel has already reached over 57,000 views, and the in-person attendance is over 5,000.
WSHU and the Westport Journal are media sponsors of the exhibition.
A robust selection of programming was created to complement this exhibition, including gallery talks with contemporary artists whose work is in the show, lectures on topics like artist Florine Stettheimer’s passion for Americana, and family-friendly events centered around flag-making and other topics. All programs are free and open to the public.
Recorded programs and video tour are available on the Museum’s YouTube channel.
Learn more and view the full exhibition and program schedule at fairfield.edu/museum/for-which-it-stands/.
