There’s always something exciting happening at the Museum of International Folk Art! Join us for our many programs listed below.
Amidst Cries from the Rubble: Art of Loss and Resilience from Ukraine
May 14, 2024Buckle Up! A Mexican Art Night by Embajadores y Reyes Unidos Foundation
May 25, 20246:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Vernick Auditorium
Experience a vibrant Mexican Art Night with the Embajadores y Reyes Unidos Foundation, packed with Trio Norteño Tiempos de Oro’s music, traditional dances from Michoacan and La Guelagetza, and a dynamic cowboy and Mexican traditional dresses runway.
Doors open at 5:30 pm
Light refreshments
To RSVP click HERE
+ Read MoreAmidst Cries from the Rubble: Art of Loss and Resilience from Ukraine
May 30, 2024 through May 30, 2025Amidst Cries from the Rubble delves into the heart of Ukraine’s struggle. Surrounded by the weight and destruction of war, art practices and expressions of cultural identity emerge as beacons of resilience and hope. This selection of captivating works highlights the profound ways in which Ukrainians confront the realities of loss and devastation, transforming the remnants of conflict into powerful symbols of strength and healing.
Through large-scale photographs and evocative objects collected from the war-torn landscapes and communities of Ukraine, this exhibition follows the journey of a nation grappling with daily trauma of death and destruction. Appropriating tools of war—shell casings, helmets, ammunition boxes—Ukrainians breathe new life into the remnants of conflict, infusing it with the spirit of human creativity.At the heart of this exhibition lies the resilience of the Ukrainian people. From children to spouses, from parents to injured soldiers, and from artists to civilians, each contributor offers a glimpse into their personal stories and triumphs. Through their art, they navigate the complex terrain of grief and loss, crafting a narrative of hope and remembrance that resonates deeply with Ukrainian cultural perspectives and folk art practices.For many, art is not merely an expression, but a lifeline—a means of making sense of the chaos happening around them. The creative process helps to ground and heal, as exemplified in the works produced by children in art therapy, or by the spouse separated from their partner fighting at the front. These art practices allow the creators to channel their pain, reframing their experiences into acts of beauty and resilience. Each stroke of the brush, each sculpture wrought from the debris of conflict, serves as a testament to the human capacity to find solace and strength in the face of despair.
Presented in the Gallery of Conscience, the exhibition will be multi-media, incorporating audio-visual components to provide a fully immersive experience. The curatorial team includes Laura J Mueller, PhD, MOIFA’s Deputy Director, Sasha Samuels, designer and artist, and Nina Medvinskaya, freelance curator, along with project manager, Lillia McEnaney. Associated programming during the exhibition will include film series, musical performances, lectures, and artist demonstrations.
Captions: Glory to the Sunflower (Slava soniakhu),2023. Serhii Polubotko, b. 1962. Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine/Brooklyn, New York. Brass ammunition casings, steel, wood. Courtesy of the artist
From the series Memory of the Heart (Pamyat sertsia),2022–2023. Volodymyr Balyberdin, b. 1954. Kyiv, Ukraine. Ammunition casings, agate, carnelian, mother of pearl, lapis lazuli, obsidian, jade. Courtesy of the artist
+ Read MoreClaiming Space: The Aesthetics and Politics of Graduation Dress
June 1, 20242:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Join us for a talk about the aesthetics and politics of graduation dress by folklorist, Sheila Bock. A book signing with the author will follow her talk.
Sheila Bock is a folklorist and associate professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary, Gender, and Ethnic Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is author of the book Claiming Space: Performing the Personal through Decorated Mortarboards.
Register in advance | Program is included with Museum Admission.
ASL Interpretation is provided for this event.
+ Read MoreJoin us for our monthly Family Mornings at Folk Art program featuring storytime, art activity, and explorations in the galleries. FREE program!
This month’s theme: Summer Time!
ASL Interpretation is provided for this program.
+ Read MoreDecorating with Folk & Tribal Art
June 9, 20242:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Doors open at 1:30 p.m. for Reception
Vernick Auditorium
Displaying folk or tribal art whether a collection or just a few special pieces require a sensitivity to nuances of spatial aesthetics as well as the principals of design.
+ Read MoreBetween the Lines: Prison, Poetry & Families
June 16, 20241:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Join us for an afternoon of poetry and community gathering! Additional details will be forthcoming...
- 1:00-2:00 PM - Poetry reading in Auditorium
- 2:00-3:00 PM- Reception & hands-on making in Atrium
ASL Interpretation will be provided during the poetry readings.
Program presented in conjunction with the upcoming exhibit Between the Lines: Prison Art & Advocacy
+ Read MoreEXTRAVAGANZA ON THE HILL
September 21, 20242:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Milner Plaza on Museum Hill
Join us for a celebration of Mexican cultural heritage with a vibrant fusion of music, dance, theater, educational activities, and a live luchador wrestling match on Milner Plaza! This event will highlight some of the rich regional cultural traditions reflected in our current exhibition La Cartonería Mexicana / The Mexican Art of Paper and Paste, and honor the history and living traditions of Indigenous communities of Mexico and our region. This event is being produced in collaboration by the Museum of International Folk Art and Museum of Indian Art and Culture and supported by the Friends of Folk Art (FOFA). Stay tuned for many more event details soon!
+ Read MoreYour Event at the Museum
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