Purdue Reflects: Celebrating America at 250 Through Art and Community
America’s story is shaped by many voices, experiences, and perspectives. Purdue Galleries will debut Purdue Reflects: Celebrations of America at 250 to bring some of those perspectives together through art and personal reflection. On view November 2–20, 2026, in Rueff Galleries East at Pao Hall, the exhibition pairs artwork from Purdue Galleries’ permanent collection with reflections from members of the Purdue community.
Co-sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts’ Cornerstone Institute for Civic Thought and the Academy for Creative Endeavors, Purdue Reflects showcases contributions from Purdue faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Each participant selected a work from the Purdue Galleries’ permanent collection that represents their perspective on America. Participants then shared a brief reflection connecting their selection to the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The resulting exhibition brings together these personal perspectives, making it as much about the people of Purdue as it is about the artwork. The selections offer a range of views on what America means to those who call Purdue home. Together, they show how art can spark conversations about national identity, history, freedom, democracy, and the future.
One particularly compelling reflection comes from undergraduate student Jordan-Jericho Staples, a senior studying environmental and natural resources engineering who selected the piece Dry Docked for Repair. Drawing on the imagery of a ship, Staples considers America's journey through 250 years of progress, challenges, and transformation:
“A bulwark of democracy and freedom, America has weathered the waves of inequality while offering its hull to protect the liberties of its citizens. In the aftermath of her voyages, however, it has left her broken, incapable of keeping itself afloat. The title of this piece, ‘Dry Docked For Repair,’ tells the story of America throughout its 250-year journey. The word ‘repair’ provides the thesis of this mighty country: it can repair and make better the conditions of those it touches, or it can be a warning, indicating its shortcomings.”
Staples concludes by reflecting on America's capacity for reinvention and the possibilities ahead:
“Through deliberate, selfless actions, America has provided a hub for culture and recreated itself many times over. In this way, the future holds the promise for all that this immortal Ship of Theseus will endure, carrying the American dream far beyond 250 years.”
Staples' reflection captures the spirit of Purdue Reflects: an opportunity not only to celebrate America's history, but also to examine its complexities, acknowledge its shortcomings, and consider the work still ahead. Together, the artworks and personal reflections illustrate that the American story is not a single narrative, but an ongoing conversation shaped by individual experiences and shared ideals.
The exhibition is open to visitors Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m., November 2–20, in Rueff Galleries East at Pao Hall. An opening reception will take place November 5 at 5:30 p.m. and is open to the public.