The Kennedy Museum of Art is showing a new exhibit of Navajo multi-pattern weavings, which will be on display on the building’s first floor through February 2013.
Native American art and artifacts have always had a home at the Kennedy, mostly because Edwin Kennedy, the museum’s namesake and top contributor, has worked in the Southwest in Native American reservations. He also has a habit of funding and collecting Native American art, especially that of the Navajo tribe.
“It’s nice to have a consistent display of a certain genre of art here, “said Melissa Knueven, the PA assistant for the Kennedy and an OU senior. “We have one of the largest collections of Native American weavings anywhere here … It’s both relevant and interesting.”
On the first floor of the Kennedy is the newest collection of weavings they have on display, a multi-pattern exhibit of Navajo origin. The weavings tower over onlookers, with some textiles spanning from floor to ceiling. They are also adorned with vibrant colors and mesmerizing patterns
“Walking through the multi-pattern Navajo weavings is amazing,” said senior Rachel Eviston, who works in the café on the first floor of the museum. “The colors really pop out at you.
Apart from the multi-pattern weavings, the Kennedy has plenty more pieces of Native American culture, including different styled weavings, paintings and even authentic jewelry.
“Our Native American collection is one of our larger collections,” said Kennedy’s associate curator Jessica Law. “We have around 700 textiles and about 1,200 pieces of jewelry, some new, some from as far back as 1865.
The multi-pattern Navajo weavings will be on display consistently through Feb. 3, and as always, admission to the Kennedy is free, though donations are accepted.
de155710@ohiou.edu
If You Go
— What: Multi-pattern Navajo Weavings
— When: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Wednesday, Friday; 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday; 1 – 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday; Oct. 5 – Feb. 3, 2013
—Where: Kennedy Museum of Art
—Admission: Free
