The First Year || Saturday Exhibit

After what was originally a 3 week trip helping refugees escape the war, Alina, a Ukrainian hospitality photographer living in California, ended up staying in Ukraine for almost a year. Being deeply moved by everything she saw at the Polish/Ukrainian border and in Ukraine, she began using the art of photography to document the war. She posted the photos to Instagram and her photo journalism moved her followers to donate. Alina used every dollar collected through photography to fund humanitarian projects in Ukraine. These funds brought food, water, medicine, and supplies to de-occupied areas, and founded a clinic in Eastern Ukraine that was operating for over 3 months. Tens of thousands of civilians and soldiers received aid in some of the harshest zones in Ukraine.

In this exhibit, featuring over 1000 images and artifacts collected from the front lines, visitors will embark on a 12-month journey through Ukraine in a matter of a few hours. You’ll be able to meet Alina, ask questions, touch and feel artifacts that Alina brought back, and have a visual timeline of Ukraine during the war. Visitors will be able to see how the Polish/Ukrainian border looked when millions were trying to flee. You will see what Bucha, Irpin and the surrounding Kyiv regions looked like when Russia fled. You’ll see how people lived their lives in war zones in Eastern Ukraine and how it changed throughout the year. You’ll get a look inside some of the harshest zones in Ukraine. You will see destroyed homes, destroyed lives, and hear painful stories… but will also see strength, resilience, and a fight for freedom unlike anything you’ve seen before.

Thank you to our Sponsors: Seasons Coffee and Clara Auditorium - This event would not be possible without you! 

Additional Event Information:

- Each ticket includes a complimentary glass of still or sparkling wine. Additional beverages will be available for purchase. 

- Event updates will be posted on instagram - @alinatyulyu