University Art Museum Secures Major Exhibitions - 01/26/2007

Lafayette, January 2007- The University Art Museum has successfully negotiated and contracted two major tourism based exhibitions.  One of the premier cultural attractions of Memphis, Tennessee is the internationally acclaimed Wonder Series Exhibitions. Each year an exciting subject is chosen for a comprehensive historical exhibition. The Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum is pursuing a similar path.

In January of 2009 the University Art Museum will present "River of Gold: Precolumbian Treasures from Sitio Conte" drawn from the collection of the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The exhibit presents more than 120 exquisitely crafted pieces of Precolumbian goldwork from Penn Museum's 1940 excavations at the ancient cemetery site of Sitio Conte in what is now central Panama. The exhibition includes large embossed plaques, cast pendants and nose ornaments, gold-sheathed ear rods, and necklaces of intricate beads-as well as polychrome ceramics, and objects made of precious and semi-precious stones, whale-tooth ivory, and bone.

In the first section of the exhibit, visitors are introduced to the geographical setting of central Panama and the excavations at Sitio Conte. The exciting story of the dramatic find of a multi-grave burial containing a wealth of gold is told through site photographs, maps, drawings, even a video from the original color film of the archaeological team. The second section reconstructs lifestyles of Precolumbian society in ancient Panama. The third section analyzes the tantalizing iconography found on Sitio Conte goldwork and ceramics to help viewers interpret aspects of a long-lost ideology. The sophisticated metallurgical processes by which the goldsmiths of Sitio Conte achieved extraordinary results are thoughtfully explained in the final section of the exhibition. "River of Gold is not only visually stunning, it also gives viewers an invaluable glimpse into a Panamanian society as it was 1,000 years ago" says Mark Tullos, Jr., Museum interim director.

One year later in January 2009 the University Art Museum will host the exhibition Pistols: Dazzling Firearms organized by the Museum of the American West, Autry Nation Center in Los Angeles, California. When Samuel Colt received U.S. Patent no. 138 for his "repeating pistols" in 1836, he embarked on not only a remarkable commercial endeavor but developed the extraordinary artistic field of firearms decoration. Masterfully embellished weapons solicit
powerful reactions as artistic forms clash with martial purpose. This exhibition explores the diversity of American firearm decoration since the mid-19th century represented by a selection of dazzling, yet dangerous, handguns from the Autry National Center's permanent collection.

"We intend to market River of Gold and Dazzling Firearms as major tourism based exhibitions. We are confident that these exhibitions will establish our reputation and appeal to a broad demographic. This will provide the university with an annual blockbuster exhibition in the Spring of each year" says Tullos.

To receive more information call (337) 482-2278 or visit museum.louisiana.edu.

The Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum in Lafayette, Louisiana is Acadiana's architectural landmark and the largest art museum between Houston and New Orleans. The Museum features a variety of changing exhibitions and a continuing schedule of lectures and programs. Come enjoy the Museum and beauty of University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus, just blocks away from the galleries, shops and famous restaurants of downtown Lafayette and the Oil Center.

Hours and Admission:
Tuesday -Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM               
Sunday and Monday- Closed
General Information:    
Please visit museum.louisiana.edu or call 337-482-2278