Becoming America: Our Past, Present, and Future at 250
Lake Ontario Hall Wall Gallery, Valley Campus
January 5 - June 27, 2026
Open During Building Hours.
Mohamed Azuz, Stature of Liberty, 2011, photograph, 2016.93.4, Gift of the Artist
The Exhibition
Celebrating the 250th anniversary of America, Becoming America: Our Past, Present, and Future at 250 invites visitors to reflect on the nation’s evolving identity. Through a variety of works, the exhibition explores the triumphs, struggles, and transformations that have shaped the American experience. From the heritage of Indigenous cultures and the legacy of America’s founding to the social movements and cultural revolutions that define the present, each piece offers a lens into how America continues to redefine itself.
Other works celebrate the iconic American landscape, as well as the role our flag has played in world events, celebrations, and daily life. Looking forward, contemporary and speculative artworks imagine possible futures—asking what America can become as it grapples with issues of identity, justice, and hope. Together, these works form a powerful dialogue across time, urging us to see the nation not as a fixed story, but as a living, evolving narrative.
Visit America 250 to learn more about the celebration and initiatives around the country.
"On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond."
Indigenous Roots
Roy Thomas (Anishinabee, 1949-2004), Untitled, 2002, print, 2008.267.1
Shirley M. Brauker (Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, 1950-2022), Ledger: Missing and Murdered, mixed media, 2021.21.2
Arrival and Founding
Roger Jones, Brass Rubbing of George Washington Commemorative Plaque, ca. 1970, paper and heelball, 2019.58.42, Gift of Jane and Wally Ewing
Robert Mols, Departure from Havre for America, 1884, lithograph, 2010.66.27b, Gift of Erwin Gutsell, Jr.
Christopher Gillespie, The 29 in Ellis, 2018, photograph, 2019.12.1a, Gift of the artist in memory of Johann and Dorothy Sieg
Stars and Stripes in Daily Life
Unknown, Untitled (Parade), ca. 1900-30, real photo postcard, L11.2022.56 (81)
Peter Turnley, Memorial, New York City, Sept. 11, 2002, 2002, archival pigment print, 2020.42.7, Gift of Ashwin Chaudhary
Our Future
Shepard Fairey, We the Future, Defend Dignity, 2017, screenprint, L22.2024.24
Shepard Fairey, We the Future, Are Greater Than Fear, 2017, screenprint, L22.2024.23
Shepard Fairey, We the Future, Protect Each Other, 2017, screenprint, L22.2024.25
Location
Lake Ontario Hall Wall Gallery
Lake Ontario Hall, Valley Campus
4023 Calder Dr
Allendale, MI 49401
For directions and parking information visit www.gvsu.edu/maps.
Contact
For special accommodation, please call:
(616) 331-3638
For exhibition details and media inquiries, please email:
Joel Zwart, Curator of Exhibitions and Collections
[email protected]
For learning and engagement opportunities, please email:
Jessica Sundstrom, Learning and Outreach Manager
[email protected]