Three different men from three different parts of the world who practiced three different religions found common ground on one principle: a hope for peace.

Mohandas K. Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Daisaku Ikeda dedicated their lives to the ideals of peace and nonviolence in the midst of tremendous adversity and opposition.

In memory and honor of their great works comes the Gandhi, King, Ikeda: “A Legacy of Building Peace” exhibit as part of the MLK Living Legacy Celebration.

The touring exhibit will open for display on Aug. 16 at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville.

A keynote address by Lawrence E. Carter Sr., dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel will open the ceremony.

Carter, curator and professor of religion at Morehouse College in Atlanta, developed the exhibition as a tribute and lasting legacy to the three activists who fought selflessly in their lifetimes to promote peace, nonviolence and justice for all people.

Gail Morgan, peace and community relations director for Soka Gakkai International-USA from Panama City to Mobile, said the exhibit was created to help break down artificial barriers that separate people by race, belief systems and cultural traditions.

“It will link people from diverse communities with a common dream of peace,” said Morgan, who helped organize efforts to bring the exhibit to Northwest Florida State College.

The exhibit panels feature colorful photographs, inspiring quotes and factual information about the three historic giants of peace and nonviolence.

It explores themes of the dignity of humanity principles of nonviolence, triumph over adversity and shaping the future through action.

While many Americans know about King and his nonviolent civil rights movement, most do not know much about the life and legacy of Gandhi and Ikeda.

Gandhi led India to independence from British rule with a message of nonviolent civil disobedience.

Ikeda has started the largest and most diverse international Buddhist association to date, spreading peace across borders worldwide.

By exploring the lives of these three men, the exhibitors hope that people will become committed and energized to bring about positive change in their lives and society.

“I hope that by examining the lives of these great individuals, viewers would be inspired to create value in the context of their own daily lives through the application of the ideals of peace and nonviolence,” said Carter, an ordained Baptist minister who founded the Gandhi Institute for Reconciliation at Morehouse College in 2000.

Special Saturday viewing hours for the exhibit will start at 1 p.m. on Aug. 16, at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center on the Niceville campus of Northwest Florida State College.

Afterwards, the exhibit will be open during regular gallery hours, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The exhibition also will include both the McIlroy and Holzhauer galleries. They are free and open to the public.

For more information or to schedule group tours, call the Mattie Kelly Arts Center, (850) 729-6044, or email [email protected].

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