MANHATTAN, KS — The new exhibit at the William T. Kemper Art Gallery invites the campus and local community to explore the personal stories behind the objects we hold on to. "The Things We Keep" showcases a diverse collection of items submitted by employees of the K-State Student Union; each paired with a written narrative that shares its meaning, history or personal significance.

Featuring items from India, Japan and Vietnam, as well as personal photography and family heirlooms, the exhibit highlights how memory, identity and connection are often embedded in the things we choose to keep.

Created to activate the gallery during summer months and foster a deeper sense of community within the Union, the exhibit highlights the wide range of roles and stories represented throughout the building.

“The Union is home to such a wide range of people and positions—from facilities and dining to marketing, student programs and beyond,” says Caitlin McCourt, programs manager for Student Programs and Involvement. “I’m excited that this exhibit invites all of us to engage with our shared space in a personal way, through something we all relate to—the things we keep.”

"The Things We Keep" runs through Aug. 29 in the gallery located on the Union’s first floor. A free, public reception with snacks and refreshments will be hosted in the gallery from 2-4 p.m., Thursday, July 31.

For more information, contact UPC at upc@k-state.edu or visit the UPC event page here.

About Union Program Council: Union Program Council plans more than 150 entertaining, educational, cultural, and substance-free events for K-State students and the Manhattan community each year.

The Union’s mission is to serve all, especially students, with facilities that provide services, programs, leadership experiences and educational opportunities which foster a sense of well-being, belonging and community.