AMES, IA.- University Museums at Iowa State University announces its final ReACT Gallery exhibition of the spring semester, First Amendment. This exhibition reflects on the importance of the First Amendment and how its five freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition affect our everyday lives. First Amendment opens on Monday, April 2, 2018 and will run until Friday, April 27, 2018 at the ReACT Gallery, 0003 Morrill Hall, Ames, IA. Admission is free.

First Amendment
April 2, 2018 - April 27, 2018
The First Amendment reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

One of the most important pieces of legislation in the entire history of the United States of America, the First Amendment is composed of five freedoms. Different mediums of fine art paired with labels written by students, faculty, and staff in the Iowa State community explore these freedoms and hone in on their complications. Collaborative labels within ReACT Gallery exhibitions allow more focus to be placed on the exhibition subject matter itself rather than the fine art within the exhibition - an essential framework for those not necessarily familiar with fine art. First Amendment is an exhibition that has relevance to every citizen of the United States, every scholar of constitutional law, and beyond.

"On an extremely basic level, freedom of speech provides the basis of our democracy. It is the framework that allows me and every other American to express themselves. And while I support a person's right to say whatever they want, I also think they should be prepared for the consequences. All our rights are given to us with the caveat that, yes, we have these rights as long as we're not using them to infringe on someone else's." - Madalyn Smith, Senior in Community and Regional Planning, minor in African American Studies

The First Amendment Day Committee, made up of members of the Greenlee School of Journalism and Mass Communication, the Iowa State Daily Media Group, and the Leo Mores Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists organized three days of First Amendment celebrations - held April 11-13, 2018 - on the Iowa State University campus. First Amendment Days in conjunction with the First Amendment exhibition at the ReACT Gallery offer the Iowa State Community knowledge, insight, and engagement about this crucial piece of legislation in the United States.