2022-2023 ILLUMINATION Exhibit: ILLUMINATION

We use interviews, photographs and personal objects to share stories that illuminate the intersectionality of our Springfield identity. In 2022-2023 our talented team included Aimee Yogi, Thomas Hiura and Mimi Nolledo who worked with the community to explore the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander experience in Springfield and rural east Lane County, Oregon.

The culminating works from this project become part of the Springfield History Museum archive, available to the public. Selected images and narratives will also become part of the permanent heritage exhibit on display at the museum.

This is event was free with fun for the whole family and welcomed over 1,200 visitors to Springfield City Hall and the Springfield History Museum on Saturday, January 28th, 2022. The celebration was a community-driven effort with various community leaders coming together to present a robust series of offerings of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) cultures -- including over 60 artists!. Highlights included performances from local artists such as Eugene Taiko, Leung Martial Arts, Origami Rabbits with Master Artist Tomo Tsurumi, hexagonal basket-making with Aimee Yogi, a variety of delicious foods and more!

Meet the ILLUMINATION 2022-2023 Project Team, consisting of Thomas Hiura (pictured here), Melissa "Mimi" Nolledo and Aimee Yogi.

In 2021-2022 the Springfield History Museum commissioned photographer Ofelia Guzman and community organizer Johanis Tadeo to collaborate on the development of a collection of photographs and oral histories of contemporary Springfield residents. Learn more about this chapter of ILLUMINATION.