Spring 2008 Vol. XXXVIV, No. 2 Selections Inspiration, Innovation, and Ingenuity by Deborah Stevenson Curator of Education It starts with a vision. What do Glasbau Hahn, but added specialized lighting. Geiser notes, “The basket cases are rattlesnakes, Datsolalee baskets, interesting because they are a prototype for and haute couture have in common? future Anthropology displays in the North Not much—precisely the kind of Building.” Selections challenge that Exhibits presented Geiser Manager, Ray Geiser, and and his team with his team of talented exhibit some unique challenges. Most preparators live for. exhibits utilize a Innovative design techniques make single curator exhibits not only accessible, but who selects the inspiring to a diverse audience. There objects and writes is an underlying current, vitality, and most of the text. Cultural Affairs energy behind Multiple curators the exhibit worked with the design process Exhibits Program that draws to develop visitors inside Selections. This the museum Above: Get up collaborative and themselves. close and examine effort produced the horn of a many creative Many of us long Bighorn Sheep. to be explorers. solutions, such Newsletter of State Museum, Carson City the Nevada Nevada Department of Mint Edition We desire Left: Clear shelving as using touch allows a peek at the connection with intricate designs on specimens to the natural the bottoms of enhance the world and with some of these educational “fancy” Washoe each other. The baskets. experience. A museum’s latest cut-away view of exhibit, Selections a Bighorn Sheep from the Collections provides opportunities for horn reveals its inner architecture. Tracks meaningful connections. allow visitors to touch and closely examine To create unity among the diverse Natural the Sheep’s stride, straddle, and gait. How History, Anthropology, and History displays in the public responds to Selections will help Selections, Geiser designed a floor plan and museum staff make decisions for the future display system that gives equal representation Natural History exhibits. to all the collections from any one of the three The textile portion of the History display entrances. He also introduced three new called for tremendous innovation and beautiful display cases manufactured by flexibility. Dave Shipman built the quilt case (Continued on page 2) Page 2 (Continued from page 1) Editor’s that Ray Geiser designed to fit the largest Note quilt in the textile collection—that way the by Deborah Stevenson quilts can be rotated over time. The box was Curator of Education so huge it was a challenge to get it through In this time of rapid change, it’s the door! To display clothing without the use easy to feel overwhelmed. of manikins, Geiser found a fabric called Budget cuts, pressures, Wonderflex that is used in theater. Heating the economic woes—the news we material makes it malleable; it sticks to itself hear is often bad. Despair not. and hardens into the desired shape. Dorothy In this issue, we focus on the Nylen used Wonderflex in the T-shirt case and integrity of vision, the power of the corset mount. Jeanette McGregor hope, and the joy of creativity. described using formed Plexiglas and wire Museum Director, Jim Barmore, covered with tubing to mount challenging textiles like the showgirl outfit; the wire is Above: While our Garcia saddle is on loan to the Autry spells out a plan for a bright National Center, their Garcia saddle is on loan to us. future. Fearless Captain Chaos flexible, yet holds its shape, while the tubing Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Michael protects the objects. She adds, “The exhibit Fischer, admires the workmanship of this “loaner” saddle (Scott Klette) juggles humor on display in the History Gallery until February 2009. took longer than expected, but I really with awareness to keep us from At left: Sequined showgirl bra from Hello Hollywood Hello taking ourselves too seriously. displayed on special mount. Our newest exhibit, Selections Facing page: This close-up of the back of the G.S. Garcia from the Collections, celebrates the 1904 World’s Fair saddle shows tooled leather and creative talents of an innovative exquisite silverwork. exhibits design team. Inspirational programs include enjoyed the challenge and exchange of ideas.” Washo Stories and a Chinese Folk In summary, Geiser told me, “I want visitors Dance Presentation. The to have a good time and to enjoy the show. I Anthropology Program shares believe there are some very interesting the cost-saving secrets of connections that can be made with this custom archival box fabrication. exhibit. In nature we see that form follows Finally, learn more about function—it works in exhibit design as well.” Nevada State Museum’s 2008 Selections from the Collections continues in the Membership Medallion in News Middle Changing Gallery through 2008. from the Mint. Annual Appeal Update See the Big Picture... As of January 9, seventy-six donors have contributed to the On the cover of this Mint museum’s Annual Appeal fund Edition, we have chosen to drive. Since then, the following feature one of the delightful individuals have made Audubon reproductions on donations: display in our changing exhibit, Selections from the Collections. Kerstine Johnson The Black-headed Grosbeak Rose (Terry) McGee (called here the Spotted Patricia Seiling Grosbeak) is common in mid- Andrea Weed elevation habitats across Nevada, while the Evening The response was exceptional Grosbeak occurs primarily on and we’ve exceeded our higher mountain slopes in the fundraising goal. On behalf of western part of our state. the museum and Board of Museums and History, thank Dr. George Baumgardner, you for your support. Funds Curator of Natural History, gives directly support museum monthly Behind-the-Scenes collections and education. Tours. Schedule yours today! Vol. XXXVIV, No. 1 Page 3 Garcia to Autry Message from the Museum Director by Sue Ann Monteleone, Museum Registrar by Jim Barmore One of the five most important antique What is the purpose of our museum? The question is timely. We’re currently updating western saddles, the Nevada State our strategic plan. Every year we take a break from our frenzied pace to think about Museum's famous G.S. Garcia 1904 what we intend to achieve over the next five years – what we can do to make a great World’s Fair saddle, travels to the Autry museum even better. Simply stated, our purpose is education. We actively engage National Center in Los Angeles and the diverse audiences in understanding Nevada’s natural and cultural heritage by preserving Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and presenting authentic objects and information. This is our essence. But, planning in Austin, Texas over the next year. The requires a closer look. We need to fully understand our purpose to prepare effective Autry's Cowboys and Presidents exhibition strategies. The following defines our function in more detail. Reviewing our purpose explores the relationship between the reminds us of our museum’s varied and vital role. heroic cowboy image and presidential The museum provides a source of identity for individuals, families, and communities politics from Theodore Roosevelt to by defining who we are, where we’ve come from, and where we live. School kids George W. Bush. G. S. Garcia built this learn about their home. New residents connect with their adopted home. saddle at his Elko, Nevada shop with Teddy Roosevelt in mind, decorating it The museum conveys our state identity – what defines Nevada and makes it unique with silver and gold medallions of from other states. The museum dispels misconceptions about our state. Roosevelt and governors Nye and Sparks, The museum is a place to share identity. We’re a place for shared experience and silver eagles, and beautiful leather tooling. social interaction. Parents share with their kids. Families share when company The saddle won gold medals at the 1904 comes. People volunteer at the museum to interact with those of similar interests. St. Louis World's Fair and at the Lewis The museum celebrates and showcases identity through attractive facilities, inspiring and Clark Exposition in Portland, Oregon exhibits, and entertaining special events. We show off our state to tourists. We’re in 1905. It has been used by dignitaries in a source of pride. parades across the nation and President Roosevelt rode in the saddle in 1910. The museum contributes to the economy of the state and Carson City. We are an The saddle will return to our museum in attraction, drawing local, national, and international visitors. The museum serves February 2009. as a centerpiece in Carson City’s downtown economy. The museum fosters a sense of belonging where people come to connect with a larger community. People receive comfort and reconnect with roots. People gain a sense of continuity and stability in a time of rapid change. The museum serves as an inclusive center for all audiences where all people feel welcome, disabled audiences fully participate in learning, and the heritage of all communities is represented and validated. The museum brings communities together for greater understanding – to learn about other groups and dispel stereotypes about unfamiliar communities. The museum serves as a nice place to spend leisure time. We’re friendly, enjoyable, affordable, comfortable, convenient, and safe. The museum serves as a trusted source of knowledge. We maintain high standards of scholarship. We are an authority on Nevada’s heritage. The museum is a trusted keeper of the keepsakes. We document heritage and optimize the care of collections for the benefit of generations hundreds of years in the future. If you're visiting those areas this year – The museum is an effective presenter of heritage. Our exhibits and programs are Autry National Center engaging and relevant. Our methods reach and inspire diverse audiences.