Western Nevada College's exhibit exploring the themes of war and conflict has been so popular, organizers have decided to extend the deadline until next month.
"Always Lost: A Meditation on War," a collection of literary work and photographs, was scheduled to end Aug. 14. However, it now will be displayed until Sept. 3 in the Bristlecone Building on the campus of Western Nevada College.
"I've never seen anything like this," said English professor Marilee Swirczek. "People come in over and over again. They're recommending others to come see it. None of us expected it to have this kind of impact."
Swirczek, who assigned her students to research the themes of conflict and war then write about what they'd learned, credited her students for the show's success.
She called it "a magical mix of people."
The display includes photographs of those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as interviews with veterans who are attending the college.
One of the highlights of the show is a display of poems Army Spc. Noah Pierce wrote before killing himself.
His family, who believe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from combat caused the suicide, donated the writings and photographs of their son to the exhibit.
Swirczek said she isn't sure why there's such interest in the exhibit, but believes it may be because this war has become so impersonal.
"Maybe there's not enough national attention to this war or to the vets," she said. "We just expect them to come home and be fine. Maybe we're wrong."
She said there has been some interest from the University of Wisconsin to display the show. However, the cost of shipping and other details have yet to be worked out.
She said there's also consideration of turning the exhibit into a book, featuring the writing and photography of the students.
"Maybe it has a life after this," Swirczek said.
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