Nelson-Atkins Museum accentuates American Indian art

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Mo., is illuminating the artistic achievements of Native peoples across North America with a shining new suite of galleries.

The museum unveiled the American Indian Galleries earlier this winter to honor and emphasize the many artistic contributions of Native tribes. With more than 6,100 square feet, the three galleries are among the largest devoted to American Indian art in any comprehensive art museum in the world, and they quadruple the amount of space that was previously devoted to American Indian art at the museum.

In the expanded collection are more than 200 works of American Indian art, including a number of recognized masterworks. The scope encompasses pre-historic works of art to contemporary pieces and embraces most of the North American native cultures. Textiles, beadwork, sculpture, pottery, jewelry and basketry are among the artistic traditions represented in the museum’s collection.

The galleries are adjacent to the museum’s re-installed American galleries. This location reflects a bold philosophical shift at the museum, defining the art of Native peoples as an essential part of the nation’s heritage. The items on display are viewed not only as historical relics of past civilizations but as true works of art.

“Together, the American galleries and the new American Indian galleries will provide visitors with an uninterrupted, contiguous look at the achievements of American artists from pre-European contact to the present, something rarely if ever done by a fine arts museum,” said Marc Wilson, the Menefee D. and Mary Louis Blackwell Director/CEO at the museum.

The museum is located at 45th and Oak Streets. Hours are 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on Wednesday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on Saturday and noon–5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. For details, call (816) 751-1ART (1278), or visit www.nelson-atkins.org.

Exhibition digs into the history of tragic Illinois mining disaster

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is delving into the history of one of the worst mining disasters in history with an exhibition that examines not only the human toll of the tragedy but the advancements in safety made because of it.

The library, located in Springfield, Ill., is presenting “The Flames Caught Us,” a look at the Cherry Mine catastrophe that took place on Nov. 13, 1909. Presented in connection with the 100th anniversary of the disaster, the exhibit features mining artifacts, images, government reports and original manuscripts.

The disaster took place at the St. Paul Coal Company Mine in Cherry, a mining town in north-central Illinois. The mine supplied the rail industry with coal for locomotives. But on that fateful day in 1909, a torch ignited a load of hay 500 feet below the surface. Of the 490 men and boys in the mine, 259 died from the fire itself or the poisonous gases it produced.

During a suspenseful week, the tragedy unfolded as rescue efforts were attempted and anxious families waited. There were several heroic rescues, but 12 rescuers died when the fire caught them. After eight days when all the miners were feared dead, a group of 21 miners who had sealed themselves off were found by a team that had been sent below to retrieve bodies.

The exhibition, on display through March 31, also takes visitors beyond the tragedy to understand the changes in labor welfare and mine safety that resulted from the disaster.

The library, located at 212 North Sixth St., is open from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily. Admission to the library is free. For more details, call (217) 558-8844, or visit www.alplm.org.

Sky is the limit for appeal of Roofless Church in Indiana

Once a spiritual sanctuary that became a cultural utopia nearly 200 years ago, New Harmony still reflects the higher pursuit of its settlers in its sculpture, gardens, ambiance and architecture, including a unique church that is marking its 50th anniversary.

Founded by the Harmony Society in southern Indiana, the quaint village provides visitors with a slower pace amid shops, art galleries, restaurants and restored buildings. Among the architectural gems is the Roofless Church, a landmark dedicated in 1960 to commemorate the town’s religious heritage.

Architect Philip Johnson’s concept was that only one roof, the sky, could embrace all worshipping humanity. The trademark of the Harmonists was a golden rose, so the 50-foot dome was built in the shape of an inverted rosebud that casts a shadow of a full-blown rose on the ground. It’s an ideal spot for weddings and quiet relaxation.

The church is located near the intersection of Main Street and Church Street. For more details about New Harmony, call (800) 231-2168, or click on www.newharmony.org.