Students can weave in and out of the museum, look at textiles in the collection and even write a few lines of poetry to share tonight at the MSU Museum's "Line by Line, Peace by Peace" program.

The museum will host open-house poetry from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will take place in the Main Gallery of the museum. It's free and there will be scones and coffee.

The "Weavings of War: Fabrics of Memory" exhibit is the centerpiece around which students will express their views of war. Kris Morrissey, curator of interpretation and director of the Museum Studies program at MSU, said the museum wants to open a dialogue about war and familiarize students with the museum.

Some high school and MSU students have already signed up to participate in the event, but because it's open mic, everyone is welcome.

Morrissey said the "Weavings of War" exhibit doesn't take a stand on the war but is an exploration of how it affects people on a personal level.

English senior Natalie Saunders coordinated tonight's event. She wanted to tie in objects in the collection with artistic expression.

"The textiles are very story like. They all have different ways of telling the story. I think that that kind of art would really lend itself to poetry," she said.

Mike Smola is participating in the event. The community, agriculture, recreation and resource studies graduate student said it's important for college students to attend the event because war affects them.

"Discussing issues of war and peace should be part of the public discussion," he said.

For more information, call the MSU Museum at (517) 353-1943 or visit http://web.mac.com/educationdivision/iWeb/Home/Home.html.