The University of Arizona
 

Current and Upcoming Exhibitions at Arizona State Museum

Detail of Hopi Quilt by Karen TootsieDetail, Butterfly Quilt
by Karen Tootsie

January 21–August 20, 2012
Hopi Quilts: Unique Yet Universal

Experience this cozy exhibit of Hopi quilts! Twenty inspiring examples from the 1970s to today demonstrate adaptation and use of the old American tradition.

This exhibit was made possible by the generosity of Beatrice A. Kabler and by a grant from The Joseph and Mary Cacioppo Foundation.

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An assortment of historic American Indian baskets from ASM's collections

Small Temporary Exhitition
Woven Wonders of American Heritage

See twenty-five choice pieces from Arizona State Museum’s collection of American Indian basketry. Totaling more than 25,000 specimens, the world-renowned collection includes not only baskets, but cordage and other items representative of every southwestern culture group dating from 11,000 years ago to the present. With a $400,000 grant from Save America’s Treasures, ASM is in the midst of a fund-raising campaign to construct a climate-controlled storeroom and new interpretive space for the vast collection of “woven wonders.”

Look for a larger temporary exhibition coming soon. In the meantime, help us meet the match!

More about ASM's woven wonders and the Save America's Treasures grant

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Exhibit Postcard Cover

November 19, 2010 through November 2012
Many Mexicos: Vistas de la Frontera

Three-hundred objects illustrate 3,000 years of varied Mexican histories. See a Maya ritual corn vessel, Spanish colonial retablos, Santa Anna's sword and uniform, Maximilian's ring and Carlota's brooch, and a sombrero that may well have belonged to Pancho Villa!

This exhibition interprets the broad sweep of Mexican history from the perspective of the borderlands—a vast, contested space that was the outer rim of Mesoamerica in the pre-Columbian period and later evolved into the northern frontier of Spanish-Indian relations following the conquest of Mexico. The establishment of the international border between the United States and Mexico in the mid-nineteenth century set the stage for a new set of cross-cultural contacts and commercial exchanges. The debates currently raging over immigration by no means diminish these relationships. In so many ways, the history of Arizona reflects the history of Mexico.

Consulate of Mexico in Tucson LogoMexico 2010 Logo
Long Realty Cares Foundation logo

Many Mexicos is the third exhibition in Arizona State Museum’s Year of Mexico celebrations commemorating the bicentennial of Mexican independence from Spain (1810) and the centennial of the Mexican Revolution (1910).

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Wupatki Pueblo

Wupatki Pueblo
(Ancestral Pueblo/Anasazi) Wupatki National Monument, Arizona
Photo © Richard Maack

Ongoing
Ancient Architecture of the Southwest

This photographic exhibit of ancient archaeological ruins features the stunning work of photographers Leroy DeJolie, Adriel Heisey, Jerry Jacka, Richard Maack, Robert McDonald, Marck Muench, William Stone and Tom Till.  Gracing the walls of the entry into The Pottery Project exhibition, the images capture the beauty, the silence, and the mystery of the abandoned cliff dwellings and crumbling apartment complexes of the ancient Southwest. Set amongst and commanding views of rugged, dramatic landscapes, these ancient sites stand as silent witness to the lives they sheltered more than 1000 years ago, and the unfolding mystery of their abandonment. This collection was inspired by an Arizona Highways exhibit featuring many of the same artists.

This exhibition is generously underwritten by a grant from the Joseph and Mary Cacioppo Foundation.

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Ongoing
The Pottery Project

The wall of potsPhoto by Jannelle Weakly

Explore the art of the potter and the science of the archaeologist as Arizona State Museum celebrates 2,000 years of Native pottery-making traditions in the Southwest. At 20,000+ whole vessels, ASM’s collection of Southwest Indian pottery is the world’s largest and most comprehensive! The Pottery Project features the Arnold and Doris Roland Wall of Pots, the Agnese and Emil Haury Southwest Native Nations Pottery Vault, a state-of-the-art conservation laboratory. The exhibition includes a test version of the "Virtual Vault," video interviews with archaeologists and Native potters, and hands-on experiences.

More about The Pottery Project
Wall of Pots Online Exhibition
Timelapse Video - Filling the Wall

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Apache Gaan dancers

Diorama of Mountain Spirit Dancers in Paths of Life
Photo by ASM Staff

Ongoing
Paths of Life: American Indians of the Southwest

Explore the origins, histories, and contemporary lifeways of ten Native cultures in an exciting mix of prehistoric artifacts, historic objects, life-size dioramas, and audio/video presentations.

See, hear, and touch highlights of the Yaqui, O’odham, Apache, Navajo, and Hopi sections of the Paths of Life exhibition with knowledgeable guides. Free,* 45 minute, docent-led tours are available October through April:

  • Thursdays, 2:00 p.m.
  • Fridays, 1:00 & 2:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays, 2:00 p.m.

Tours are geared towards adults but all ages are welcome. No reservations necessary. Scheduling is based on docent availability and subject to change. Check with front desk upon arrival.

For larger groups (5 or more) please submit a Special Tour Request form. For inquiries about tours in Spanish, please contact Daniel Vander Ploeg.

*Docent-led tours are free with paid admission.

More about Paths of Life (including an online panoramic tour)

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"Watercarrier Statue"Photo by Jannelle Weakly

Watercarrier, a bronze sculpture by Apache artist Craig Dan Goseyun, adorns the front entrance of ASM's north building. Purchased by Arnold and Doris Roland as a generous gift to the museum, "Watercarrier" represents one of the most vital elements to a desert community—water.

"Water is one of the most important resources. Practically all cultures throughout the world at one time or another transported their goods balanced on top of their head on the center of gravity. The woman is wearing a garment that covers her full body. The swirl represents the connection between the earth and sky." —Craig Dan Goseyun

More about "Watercarrier" and Craig GoseyunOpens in a new window from Indian Country Today

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Don't forget to visit our Online Exhibitions

How much time to allow for a visit:

Shorter times are for casual stroll / longer times are for detailed study:

  • Many Mexicos (temporary exhibition): 15 minutes / 45 minutes.
  • Hopi Quilts (temporary exhibition): 5 minutes / 15 minutes.
  • Paths of Life (large permanent exhibition): 30 minutes / 2 hours.
  • The Pottery Project (permanent exhibition): 10 minutes / 30 minutes.
  • Woven Wonders of American Heritage (temporary exhibition): 5 minutes / 15 minutes.
  • Ancient Architecture of the Southwest (permanent exhibition): 5 minutes / 15 minutes.

Please Note: No backpacks, satchels, food or drinks are allowed in the exhibit galleries. All items are subject to search.


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