Exhibition at the International Peace Museum Runs Through April
The Museum of the Peace Corps Experience (MPCE) launched its first exhibit of 2025, Ubuntu in Action: Exploring the Peace Corps and Shared Humanity. This inspiring exhibit hosted by the International Peace Museum in Dayton, Ohio, delves into the spirit of service, cultural exchange, and the interconnectedness of all people.
A Story in Four Parts
Ubuntu is the belief that an individual’s humanity is fostered through their relationships with others, often summarized as “I am because we are.” Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu leveraged Ubuntu during South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy emphasizing empathy, collective responsibility and restorative justice. There are many related perspectives on human interconnectedness that can be found throughout our world’s diverse cultures. This exhibit is a celebration of all of these diverse ethos that prioritize respect and compassion for others.
The exhibition tells the story of the Peace Corps through portraiture, promotional posters, artifacts from everyday life, and RPCV community action. Portraiture has been central to museums’ collections for centuries because it is a profound medium for storytelling and emotional connection. The photographic and drawn portraits, from a collection of dozens of works by Reggie and Celeste Hodges, give viewers a window into the worlds of both the subject and the artist. The exhibition showcases the artists’ personal reflections on what portraiture meant to them and their subjects illuminating the power of artistic expression and human connection.
Peace Corps promotional posters serve as rich cultural artifacts, encapsulating the evolving mission and values of the organization over its nearly 65-year history. Dozens of themes and media strategies are evident in the MPCE collection of Peace Corps posters. In this exhibit, we have shared only those that reflect the philosophy of Ubuntu emphasizing interconnectedness and shared humanity.
The exhibition also showcases artifacts from the daily life of volunteers along with what many visitors are calling the pièce de résistance of the exhibition, Patchwork of Peace (1990). Each artifact tells a unique story of cultural exchange and human connection with an emphasis on Ubuntu-related themes of dignity, forgiveness, and compassion. Patchwork of Peace (1990) is evidence of the lasting impact of the Peace Corps and host countries on the volunteers. The nearly 30 foot-long community quilt is a living tapestry of collective memory and cultural expression. Each block stitches together individual narratives transforming fabrics from across the globe into a powerful embodiment of social cohesion.
The exhibition is the centerpiece of the two museums’ celebration of the Season for Non-Violence accompanied by an engaging series of online and in-person programs running through April. The exhibition was created for the general public, but has been heavily attended by RPCVs including Bob Taft, Former Governor of Ohio and Former Congressman Steve Driehaus.
Reconnect during Peace Corps Week! Consider forwarding this email to RPCV friends to raise awareness about the Museum.
We are a museum startup that collects and preserves stories and objects of material culture related to the Peace Corps. Our mission is to harness the power of the Peace Corps legacy to inspire and educate, equipping global citizens with tools for peacebuilding, cross-cultural understanding, and transformative social impact. MPCE does not have a permanent exhibition space, and relies on important partnerships with hosts like the International Peace Museum to engage new audiences.
