Two local arts groups that have struggled with controversy while presenting art about the decades-old conflict host a talk tomorrow at The Mattress Factory.

Difficult Work, hosted by the Mattress Factory and Conflict Kitchen, is “a panel disucssion about the challenges of making, supporting and presenting art about Palestine, Israel and the U.S.”

The panelists are local artists, presenters and funders, including: Barbara Luderowski and Michael Olijnyk of The Mattress Factory, which in May cancelled an exhibition touted as a cultural exchange between Palestinian, Israeli and American artists after a reported social-media campaign led to the withdrawal of the Palestinian artists; Tavia LaFolette, who organized that show; Jon Rubin and Dawn Weleski, co-founders of Conflict Kitchen, whose Palestinian take-out menu and programming drew death threats which caused the food stand to briefly close last month; Germaine Williams, of the Pittsburgh Foundation; and San Francisco-based curator Joseph del Pesco.

The Conflict Kitchen controversy drew international attention.

The Mattress Factory is located at 500 Sampsonia Way, on the North Side.

The discussion begins at 7 p.m. The panel discussion is free, but seating is limited, so RSVP to [email protected].