The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian celebrates a substantial new donation of mid-to-late 20th century Native art with an exhibit titled “Transcending Boundaries: American Indian Traditional a
The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian celebrates a substantial new donation of mid-to-late 20th century Native art with an exhibit titled “Transcending Boundaries: American Indian Traditional and Contemporary Art from the June and Bernard Kleban Collection.”
The exhibit, which opened September 27, runs through December 30 at the museum, 3001 Central St., Evanston.
“Transcending Boundaries” showcases approximately 100 of the more than 250 works in diverse media recently donated by June Kleban of Wilmington, Del. She and her late husband, Bernard, built their collection from 1953 to 2004, largely (but not exclusively) with works by southwestern U.S. artists.
Pieces on exhibit include, among others, visual art by Robert B. Redbird (Kiowa) and Michael Chiago (Tohono O’Odham); stone sculptures by Kathy Whitman (Mandan) and Alvin K. Marshall (Navajo); Inuit stone carvings depicting Arctic people and animals; Hopi, Navajo, and Zuni Pueblo silver jewelry; carved wood figures by Shona Hah Lelooska (Cherokee), Hank Orr (Cherokee), and Phillip Titla (Apache); ceramic bowls, vases, and storyteller figures; baskets; beaded items; Navajo sand paintings — an art form with origins in healing ceremonies; miniature folk-art prints by Terry Yaz (Navajo); and two large display cases of colorful, elaborately detailed Kachinas — carved figures representing spiritual beings — by Regina Naha, members of the Honahnie family, and other Hopi artists.
All items in the exhibit are being shown at the museum for the first time.
According to John Low, executive director of the Mitchell Museum, collector June Kleban was introduced to the museum by her daughter, Marcie Eskin, who lives in Skokie, Ill. “After visiting the Mitchell Museum and becoming familiar with its extensive programs — especially for children — June decided our museum would provide a good home for a significant portion of her and Bernard’s collection,” Low said.
Admission to the exhibit is included with an entrance donation to the museum. Suggested donation is $5 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, students, and children. Maximum suggested admission per family is $10. For information, phone (847) 475-1030. On the Net: www.mitchellmuseum.org.
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