DECATUR, Ill. – is currently hosting “Freedom, Our Rights: Exploring Civil Rights in Paintings and Posters,” a thought-provoking exhibition that invites viewers to reflect on the ongoing struggle for freedom, equality, and justice in America.
The exhibition runs February 1 through March 27 in the Kirkland Fine Arts Center.
Curated from the personal collection of local collector Marc Willis, the exhibition brings together historical and contemporary artworks created with Civil Rights as their central theme. Through bold imagery and powerful messages, the works illuminate pivotal moments in American history while encouraging dialogue about the meaning of civil rights today.
“This exhibition brings together artworks that speak with unique voices about freedom and civil rights,” said Jessa Wilcoxen, Director and Professor in 鶹Լ’s School of Art & Creative Media. “Art provokes conversation, and we hope visitors take time to reflect on what civil rights mean to them as they engage with these works.”
The exhibition’s opening reception was held on Thursday, Feb. 5, welcoming students, faculty, and community members to the gallery. Wilcoxen opened the evening with remarks highlighting the exhibition's significance and the Robert Crowder Art Gallery's role as a space for diverse perspectives and meaningful artistic expression.
Ed Walker, Associate Professor of Art and Director of the Robert Crowder Art Gallery, shared historical context about the collection and emphasized how the exhibition connects classroom learning with gallery programming.
“We interweave our classroom projects with exhibitions like this one,” Walker said. “Our students created typography, quilt-panel designs, and visual responses reflecting what freedom and civil rights mean to them. These conversations don’t stop at the gallery walls – they extend directly into our classrooms.”
Student involvement was also central to the exhibition’s success. Members of 鶹Լ’s Blue Connection, the University’s student-run gallery organization, assisted with curation, installation, and behind-the-scenes work.
Willis, a retired U.S. Army veteran and longtime art collector, spoke about the personal and historical significance of the posters and paintings on display. His collection includes Civil Rights-era works, World War II propaganda posters, and international pieces, each chosen for its ability to communicate powerful ideas with immediacy.
“Many of these posters were designed to grab you quickly,” Willis said. “A few words, strong imagery – something that goes straight to the heart. Over time, these pieces have taken on even greater importance as historical documents.”
Willis also demonstrated the preservation process used to protect fragile posters, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how historical works are conserved for future generations.
“Freedom, Our Rights: Exploring Civil Rights in Paintings and Posters” is free and open to the public and will remain on display through March 27. Visitors are encouraged to experience the exhibition and engage in conversations inspired by the art on view.
About the Robert Crowder Art Gallery
The is named in honor of Robert H. Crowder, a graduate of the 鶹Լ Class of 1933. An American artist and designer who studied Nihonga painting in Japan under master artists, spent several years immersed in Japanese culture and traditional techniques, and his work helped bridge Eastern and Western artistic traditions. His legacy continues to inspire cross-cultural appreciation and education in the arts.
