|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Markus Gottschlich
Executive Director, Warehouse Arts District Association
markus@wadastpete.org | (727) 289-1420
WADA Presents: “THE UNRAVELING – A Future Without USAID and Its Global Implications”
September 13 – October 4, 2025 | ArtsXchange, St. Petersburg, FL
An urgent new exhibition explores the global and local consequences of dismantling U.S. foreign aid.
St. Petersburg, FL – The Warehouse Arts District Association (WADA) is proud to present "THE UNRAVELING – A Future Without USAID and Its Global Implications", a timely and provocative exhibition responding to the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The exhibition runs from September 13 to October 4, 2025, at WADA’s ArtsXchange campus in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Curated by former USAID Foreign Service Officer Jude Leitten, THE UNRAVELING reflects on the sweeping domestic and international consequences of a world without USAID. The exhibition features powerful mixed-media works by Ali Syverson, a former USAID Communications Advisor, whose artwork draws directly from her experiences in development missions and crisis zones around the globe.
In addition to Syverson’s work, Leitten curates a multimedia installation of photography, video, and personal accounts submitted by USAID alumni worldwide. This broader presentation highlights the stories, programs, and relationships abruptly impacted by the agency’s dissolution.
Exhibition and Public Program Highlights
Warehouse Arts District Association – ArtsXchange Campus
515 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Exhibit info: THE UNRAVELING – A Future Without USAID
- Opening Night & Second Saturday ArtWalk
- Saturday, September 13 | 5:00–9:00 PM
- Celebrate the exhibition launch with live music, open artist studios, and community gathering during WADA’s monthly ArtWalk.
Artist Talk: Ali Syverson
- Wednesday, September 17 | 5:00–7:00 PM
- Meet the artist featured in our September exhibit “THE UNRAVELING – A Future Without USAID and its Global Implications.”
- Hear directly from Ali, whose work draws from her international field experience with USAID.
- This talk is free and open to the public.
Panel Discussion: Former USAID Leaders & Experts
- Wednesday, September 24 | 5:00–7:00 PM
- A timely public forum exploring the legacy of U.S. foreign aid, the implications of its dismantling, and the role of art in global development.
Confirmed Panelists:
- Jude Leitten – Former USAID Program Officer, Moderator
- Miles Toder – Former USAID Democracy and Governance Officer
- Nancy Eslick – Former USAID Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator and U.S. Global Water Coordinator
- Ali Syverson – Artist & Former USAID Communications Advisor
Through this timely exhibition and program series, WADA continues its mission to use the arts as a platform for civic dialogue, global reflection, and cultural resilience in times of rapid change.
| 
