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The Gorman Museum of Native American Art will reopen next month with a celebratory weekend marking the institution’s 50th anniversary
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 29 Aug 2023
The Gorman Museum of Native American Art reopens to the public September 22 Credit: Gorman Museum of Native American Art
The newly-expanded Gorman Museum of Native American Art is set to reopen at the end of September with the occasion also marking the institution’s 50th anniversary.
Located at the University of California (UoC), the US museum was founded in 1973 and is entirely dedicated to contemporary Native American art, with its collection including 2,250 works, most of which have been created since 1980.
Set to reopen on September 22, at 4,000sq ft (370sq m) the museum is nearly four times its original size after relocating from its home on the UoC campus to the nearby UC Davis Gateway cultural corridor along Old Davis Road.
“UC Davis has a long history as a home for Native American artistry, including visual and performing arts,” said University chancellor Gary S. May.
“This spacious location near the campus gateway is an ideal place to showcase the influence and contributions of Native people for generations to come.”
Along with the space for temporary exhibitions, the new museum features a gallery displaying works from the collection on a rotational basis, along with visible storage so as to give visitors access to the entire collection.
The building, a single-story structure, is painted with bands of green representing tule grass - a once-common plant in California used by Native American people to make baskets, clothing, tents, houses and boats. Upon visiting the museum, guests will be welcomed by a large, circular public artwork based upon Native American basketry designs that was created by Hulleah Tsinhnahjinnie, an artist who is also the museum’s director and a professor in the Department of Native American Studies.
“The year 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the Gorman Museum and continuing supporting contemporary Native American artists who create art as a continuum of Native American presence,” said Tsinhnahjinnie.
“The renovated space was manifested and realised into reality by a dedicated community of local, inter-tribal artists and allies who embrace the power of Native American art as a site to continue the creative and intellectual conversations that were interrupted by tropes and bias.”
The opening exhibition, Contemporary California Native Art will include about 40 works by 20 artists, all members of California tribes. After a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon on September 22, the museum will open to the public at 2pm. The following day’s events will include music, dance and other performances.
Museums and galleries
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