Ancient Marketplace: Experience Mesoamerica

Utah State University’s Museum of Anthropology opens its newest exhibit Saturday, April 9, at the museum on the USU Logan campus.

Grand opening events for “Diné: Weaving a Tradition of Strength” feature two special guests, D.Y. Begay, a world-renowned contemporary Navajo weaver, and Mike Morgan, a third generation collector of Navajo weavings. Morgan’s weavings are on display in the exhibit.

Museum visitors will experience wool carding, spinning and weaving demonstrations by Begay. Patrons can try spinning and weaving themselves, and learn about the natural dying process of the wool fibers traditionally employed by the Navajo.

The exhibit’s opening activities begin at 11 a.m. and continue through 3 p.m. Organizers said the event will be catered.

“This exhibit highlights the resilience and long standing endurance of the Navajo people as demonstrated in the complex weavings displayed as part of this exhibit,” said Monique Pomerleau, museum curator. “Through the custom of passing the art of weaving to their daughters, Navajo women continue to weave a tradition of strength among the Navajo people.”

Community members, as well as Utah State students, can visit the museum during its operating hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Children are encouraged to attend the “Saturdays at the Museum” events offered weekly. Activities relate to the day’s offering and are designed with children in mind. Funding for the Saturday events is provided by a grant from the United States Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The USU Museum of Anthropology is on the USU campus in the south turret of the historic Old Main building, Room 252. Admission is free. For Saturday activities, free parking is available in the adjacent lot, south of the building.

For more information about this event, call museum staff at (435) 797-7545 or visit the museum website.

The Museum of Anthropology is part of the Anthropology Program at USU.

Related links:

• USU Anthropology Program
• USU Department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology
• USU College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Source: Museum of Anthropology

Contact: USU Museum of Anthropology, (435) 797-7545, anthro.museum@usu.edu