The Western Illinois Museum is proud to announce its upcoming exhibit We for Us by artist Ximena Barreto, on view from July 19 through November 22, 2025. Through deeply personal and visually compelling photographs, the exhibit offers a powerful reflection on community identity, belonging, and collective memory.
An opening reception will be held on Saturday, July 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Museum. Guests are invited to meet the artist, enjoy live music by Bill Maakestad—who is featured in the photo essay—along with refreshments and bar service. The event is open to the public, with a suggested $5 donation at the door to support the Museum’s programs.
The “We for Us” exhibit invites visitors to reflect on the richness of individuals who together form the fabric of our communities. Barreto blends storytelling, photography, and mixed media to craft narratives that highlight personal stories while also celebrating diversity and the power of collective contribution. The project also sheds light on often-overlooked community members and the intimate aspects of their lives, encouraging viewers to see one another with deeper empathy and understanding.
“We are thrilled to host Ximena Barreto’s We for Us project,” said Sue Scott, Director of the Western Illinois Museum. “Her work provides an important and timely exploration of who we are as a community. It demonstrates the need for local artists and their distinct role documenting our shared history through their own interpretation of the world around them.”
We for Us is a photo essay by Ximena Barreto, created after spending two years living in Macomb, Illinois. The project profiles twelve individuals of different ages, genders, races, and ethnic backgrounds who each contribute in meaningful ways to the Macomb community. Whether through their time, energy, or hearts, they are all working to build a better place to live.
Some of these individuals know one another; others do not. Together, their stories highlight everyday acts of care and commitment—acts that often go unseen. This project seeks to make those good deeds visible in the hope of inspiring others to come together around shared goals and a common good.
The photo essay is being published on the project’s website, we-for-us.com, with profiles released from January through August 2025.
For more information, call 309-837-2750, text 309-837-2613, or email info@wimuseum.org. The Museum is located at 201 S. Lafayette Street, one block south of Macomb’s Courthouse Square. The building is fully accessible, and free accessible parking is available.
***Courtesy of the Western Illinois Museum***
