DEKALB, IL.-The Nehring Gallery in downtown DeKalb invites the public to their latest exhibit entitled “Art & Artifacts of WWII”. The exhibition on display from October 25th – November 15th will showcase the collection of John Wright, owner of Wright’s Jewelry in downtown DeKalb. The opening reception on Sunday, November 4th from 5 – 7 p.m. will include comments from the collector at 5:30 p.m. In conjunction with the exhibit, Nehring Gallery will also host a guest lecture by Dale Cozort a WWII historian and author on Wednesday, October 31st at 12 p.m. Cozort’s lecture is titled "World War II: Desperate Struggle, Foregone Conclusion".

Over fifty WWII propaganda posters and artifacts will be on display during the exhibit. Wright, collecting WWII artifacts for over 35 years, notes the rarity of many objects in his collection, including a Japanese yosegaki flag. It likely hanged in a kamikaze training barracks and was a gift to the 2nd kamikaze unit. Each of the 2nd unit soldiers signed the flag and it is decorated with patriotic slogans such as “Human Bomb Sacrifice for the Country” and “The Kamikaze Unit Leads the Charge”. Two rare original prints created for a poster design contest in 1942 at the New York Museum of Modern Art are also part of the exhibition. One of these winning submissions, America, Step on It is a one-of-a-kind original oil painting from which later posters were based. Wright has also generously donated an original 1945 print of, 7th Now..All Together by C.C. Beall to be raffled off. Tickets for the raffle are for sale throughout the exhibition for $1 each or 6 for $5. All proceeds go to help support the Nehring Gallery.

Art & Artifacts of WWII is open and free to the public during regular gallery hours on Wednesday from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and Saturday from 1 - 5 p.m. or by appointment. Nehring Gallery is located on the second floor of the Nehring Center for Culture and Tourism in the historic First National Bank building on the corner of Lincoln Highway and Second Street in downtown DeKalb. The gallery is cooperatively operated by the DeKalb Park District and the Northern Illinois University College of Visual and Performing Arts Division of Outreach. A handicap accessible entrance is available and located at the 111 S Second Street entrance.