10/01/2026
The ILLUMINATION Advisory Committee (IAC) wrapped up the ILLUMINATION Community Forum | Foro Comunitario event series, funded by Oregon Humanities, by welcoming 53 beautiful humans from tiny tots to elders across a spectrum of identities at Memo's Mexican Restaurant on Main Street last night.
Together with partners across Lane County we've hosted a total of 5 conversations about freedom, centering the voices and perspectives of Latino, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacirfic Islander, Black and African American, American Indian and Alaska Native community members. From Cottage Grove to Junction City, and to Blue River to Florence, and finally last night in Springfield with panelists Sheena Puls, Aimee Yogi, Michael Kay Klindt, and Mariela German Hernandez with Antonio Huerta facilitating and a welcome introduction and project history by Springfield History Museum's Mindy Linder.
"Grateful for the people who showed up, shared, and listened. A lovely way to close the series—and keep the conversation going," expressed IAC member Melissa "Mimi" Nolledo.
We look forward to continuing the conversation and this powerful work of ILLUMINATION. SAVE THE DATE for the opening of our next ILLUMINATION Collection centering the LGBTQIA2S+* history and experiences of Springfield and rural east Lane County during the 2nd Friday Art Walk on December 11, 2026 at the Springfield History Museum.
*LGBTQIA2S+: Le***an, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and Two-Spirit, with the plus sign representing additional sexual orientations and gender identities
Photos by Mimi Nolledo and Robert Scherle.