Central College will welcome the graphic memoir, “The Words He Cannot Say,” by 2014 Central graduate Leo Bird, to the Mills Gallery beginning Monday, November 4th. 

Bird was diagnosed with autism at age three. He created the memoir to demonstrate how he overcame alienation and bullying, succeeded in a job search, and learned from mistakes through the patient help of parents, teachers and classmates. Professor of art and 1992 Central graduate Brian Roberts curated the exhibit to demonstrate alternative views on perspective, life and abilities. Bird began exhibiting art in 2021 at the Iowa State Fair and the Des Moines Public Library. His exhibit will be in the Mills Gallery until Friday, December 6th. The public is invited to meet the artist at 6 pm on Thursday, November 7th in the gallery during the artist’s reception.

The Mills Gallery in the Lubbers Center for the Visual Arts is open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.