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Message from Mary -
There is something very special about seeing a new exhibition come together in a gallery after months of planning. Our latest exhibition is no exception, and over the past few weeks, I have enjoyed seeing Horse and Rider: A Southwest Story transform from ideas on paper to a new exhibition in the gallery, drawn entirely from works in the MNA collection. The show delves deep into the timeless bond between Indigenous people and horses, weaving together artwork, cultural artifacts, and stories. What makes this exhibit even more remarkable is the invaluable contribution of wisdom shared by our Dine, Hopi, and Zuni consultants.
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I am also delighted to spread the word that MNA has recently received reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, a testament to our commitment to excellence in every aspect of the museum’s operations and impact. This recognition is given to only 3% of museums nationwide, and we couldn't be prouder to share this achievement with you.
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We would be honored to welcome you to experience the magic of MNA firsthand. Come immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of art, culture, and science from the Colorado Plateau. Plan your visit today.
Mary Kershaw
Executive Director & CEO
Museum of Northern Arizona
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Book Festival Readings
We’re excited to host the Northern Arizona Book Festival for featured readings April 12. It all starts at 5 p.m. with authors Jodie Hollander, Erik Bitsui, and Melissa Sevigny followed by readings from Natalie Diaz, Stacie Denetsosie, Deborah Jackson Taffa, and Chelsea T. Hicks. Diaz, a member of the Gila River Indian Tribe, is author of Postcolonial Love Poem, winner of the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. Find out more about all the authors at Northern Arizona Book Festival.
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Call for Festival Volunteers
Join us for an information session April 16, 5:30 p.m., at the Museum. Discover how you can be a part of the 2024 Heritage Festival of Arts and Culture. The session will detail the various volunteer opportunities, and you will have the chance to be first to sign up for volunteer jobs. We will need help with the artists competition, directing parking, information table, and much more. There is something for everyone. All volunteers receive free admission to the festival.
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Join Us for Slow Art Day
Slow Art Day began in 2010 as global event to help more people discover the joy of looking at and loving art. On April 13 we invite museum visitors to spend more than just a few seconds looking at selected artworks. Slow down, sit and observe, and let your eyes and your mind connect more deeply with art. Museum of Northern Arizona Fine Arts Curator Alan Petersen will facilitate a discussion about the art at 2 p.m.
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Sculpting Flora & Fauna Camp
Summer is slowly approaching, and although most of our Discovery Camps are full, space is still available in the Sculpting Flora and Fauna camp for ages 9-11. Campers will sculpt creatures and plants, real or imagined, out of clay and other materials. They'll learn about the animals and plants housed in the Museum’s collections, tour behind-the-scenes collections storage areas, and visit the museum’s exhibits for inspiration. Find all the details here.
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McDougall Herbarium
Did you know that the Museum of Northern Arizona is home to more than 44,000 preserved specimens of plant life? The museum's McDougall Herbarium documents the plant biodiversity of the Colorado Plateau and is an important record for measuring how flora are adapting to changing climate. Plant collection information can be accessed through the Southwest Environmental Information Network, an online collaborative botany database. Learn more.
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Horse & Rider: A Southwest Story
The history of horses in North America is being rewritten as radiocarbon dating reveals that Indigenous people had ridden and cared for horses earlier than previously thought. The new research was the impetus for this exhibition that combines fine art and artifacts from Museum collection with first-person accounts of the cultural and spiritual importance of horses in Diné, Hopi, and Zuni culture.
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Selling the Southwest
In the early 20th century, entrepreneurs employed artists to create a sense of wonder and mystery about the American Southwest that attracted tourists and established a romanticized vision that has remained to this day. Many of the artists are now prominent names in the canon of classic Southwest art, including Thomas Moran, Louis Akin, and Gunnar Widforss.
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Seeing People Through Trees
Closing soon
From stone axes to crosscut saws, this exhibition looks at the forest and our relationship to it through MNA collections and historic photos. At the center of the exhibition is a slice from a 290-year-old ponderosa pine from the west side of the San Francisco Peaks.
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Opens in May
Geologist Wayne Ranney guest curates this exhibition about an iconic geology map published by the Museum of Northern Arizona in 1976. The map presents a wealth of detailed information about Grand Canyon’s geology on a single page with such beauty that it became the best-selling geology map of all time. This exhibition explores the origin, heritage, and ongoing use of this iconic map.
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Created using traditional pottery methods, this Rainbird Jar by Hopi artist Loretta Laban stands 5 inches tall. See it and other art treasures, jewelry, and more at the Museum Gift Shop online. Or visit the shop at the Museum, open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Every shop purchase helps support the Museum of Northern Arizona and the artists.
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