The written word is enduring. When ink is put to paper an individual’s fleeting thoughts become a lasting record of the past. While not every composed statement is highly profound, when analyzed in context a simple sentence provides framework of the author’s experience. Such experiences can be woven together to create a historical snapshot of times passed. “Somethin’ to Write Home About” examines the impact of both mundane daily activities and extraordinary historical events on the residents of the northern Illinois region through their written words. Letters date as far back as the 1850s with topics including the military, college life, Northern Illinois University, and family life.

Artists Michael Day and Ron Caplain have each spent a lot of time in Japan over the past four decades. In this exhibit, they share some of the images that they have created from these Japan photos. Michael’s images are straight photographs taken in a single photo shoot at the Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages) in Kyoto in October 2022. Ron’s images are all collages using photographs taken during his many trips to Japan, along with those taken in museums in the US and books.