Hickman Gallery to present ‘I Think I Can: 15 Years of Reading and Resilience’
Posted Tuesday, May 06, 2025
Adrian College’s Hickman Gallery will host a free exhibition titled “I Think I Can: 15 Years of Reading and Resilience,” in partnership with the Lenawee Community Foundation, from May 9 to July 31.
The “I Think I Can” exhibit celebrates 15 years of the Lenawee Imagination Library, a local chapter of the nationwide early literacy initiative founded by country music legend Dolly Parton in 1995.
Inspired by the book “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper, the exhibition pays tribute to the enduring power of books and the extraordinary impact of the program, which has delivered more than 260,000 free books to children across Lenawee County.
Visitors will find a variety of displays documenting the growth of the local program, supported by the Lenawee Community Foundation in partnership with donors. The exhibition celebrates the children and families reached by the Lenawee Imagination Library and highlights the lasting impact of early childhood literacy in Lenawee County.
“This exhibition is a tribute to resilience, literacy and the belief that a single book can shape a lifetime,” said Travis Erxleben, chair of the Adrian College Department of Art and Design and director of Hickman Gallery. “It also honors the vision of Dolly Parton and the countless local supporters who have helped keep the train moving, no matter the terrain.”
The Imagination Library provides a new, age-appropriate book each month to enrolled Lenawee County children from birth to age five. The $31 cost per child to provide this service is raised annually, so there is no cost to participating families.
“Through the Lenawee Imagination Library, we are bridging educational gaps and building confidence in our youth,” said Bronna Kahle, president and CEO of the Lenawee Community Foundation. “We are so grateful to Adrian College and Travis [Erxleben] for hosting this lively exhibition in celebration of 15 years of impact. Together, we can lift up the next generation of Lenawee County by helping give all children a strong start in school and life.”
The Hickman Gallery, located off Williams Street, is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment.
