Student Curator to Unveil Newest Exhibit

On Thursday, February 11, the Museum will be opening the next installation in the Rotating Gallery, Time Adorned: A Highlight of the Museum's Jewelry Collection. The Rotating Gallery changes on an annual basis and provides local university students the opportunity to gain professional experience in the museum field by curating a temporary exhibit.  Each year the Museum selects a Student Curator to research, design, and direct the creation of the exhibit under the guidance of the Museum’s Curator of Exhibits and Research, Tim Howard. This year’s exhibit was curated by Student Curator Julie Tew, an Anthropology student from Wichita State University.

New in her role as an intern, Julie Tew is not new to the Museum. A senior at WSU, Julie has been a volunteer in the exhibits department and has worked at the front desk for nine months. Julie said she chose the topic of jewelry because it is "something that we put on every day, but do not stop and realize the historical or cultural importance of." She also said that she is "mostly proud that [she is] able to display artifacts that may have been overshadowed by larger items within their original exhibits."

Julie hopes to provide some background for why jewelry is important and enlighten people to its historical significance that they may not have realized or learned before. 

Julie Tew, 2016 Student Curator

Time Adorned: A Highlight of the Museum's Jewelry Collection will open to the public on Friday, February 12. To celebrate the opening of the newest exhibit, the Museum will host an exclusive, members-only event on Thursday, February 11. From 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., Museum members will receive a private viewing of the exhibit and have the opportunity to speak with Museum staff about the exhibit and its artifacts. Guests will enjoy hors d'oeuvres and drinks from local businesses, including District Taqueria and Lotus Leaf Cafe. 

At 5:30 p.m., the ribbon cutting will commence. Nathan Regan, Co-General Manager and Jewelry Designer at Burnell's Fine Jewelry and Design, will be on hand to provide expert insight into the jewelry pieces. Guests will get up close to some of the collection pieces and even handle select artifacts (with gloves and supervision, of course). 

Not a member but want to come? Memberships can be purchased at the door on the night of the exhibit opening, so don't miss out on this exciting event! Members enjoy a host of benefits including invitations to other events, like this one, throughout the year.  Members also receive free admission to the Museum for an entire year! Visit our website  to learn more about supporting the Museum as a member, or give us a call at 316.263.1311.