Weight of the World Event, Student Conversation with Mary Beth Tinker Set for March 20

The Museum of Contemporary American Teenagers (MoCAT) and American University Library present When the Weight of the World Won’t Wait, stories of teenagers and young adults throughout history who have shouldered society’s burdens—from protecting our climate to fighting our wars.

The Weight of the World art show is open now and will run until Friday, April 19 in the Bender Library at American University. A presentation and conversation, featuring student creators from MCPS and special guest Mary Beth Tinker, will be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20 in the Kay Spiritual Life Center at American University. The art show and event are free and open to the public.

The March 20 event will feature a student showcase, a presentation and  conversation featuring a panel of students and Tinker, known for her role in the Supreme Court’s landmark case, Tinker v. Des Moines, and more than 50 years of free-speech advocacy at the Kay Spiritual Life Center at American University. The student showcase starts at 4 p.m.; the presentation and conversation follow at 5 p.m. A reception will follow the panel discussion at 6 p.m. in the Bender Library, where attendees will have the opportunity to view the exhibit and speak to the student creators and artists.

Weight of the World is the first in a series of events presented by MoCAT in partnership with American University, The Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the Kennedy Center to explore American teen culture and its impact on history. Through images, movement, objects, sounds, words, dance, film, discussion and other creative expressions, teen creators will engage in storytelling that shares their lives, joy and struggles while igniting conversation and calling for change.

Reserve a spot and more information