Archive of A Previous Program
Saturday, January 11, 2003
 

Across Borders: Beadwork in Iroquois Life
A new beadwork exhibit is running from November 16^th through February 16^th at the Mashantucket Pequot Indian Museum in Ledyard, CT.

The exhibit displays more than 300 stunning and rarely seen examples of beadwork dating from the nineteenth century to the present. Richly beaded clothing such as collars, belts, leggings and shirts are featured in this groundbreaking display along with an astonishing variety of items first created for the Victorian tourist trade -- pincushions, picture frames, decorative boxes and wall-pockets. The exhibition examines the artistic, cultural and political significance of beadwork in both traditional and contemporary Iroquois culture. It encourages visitors to understand the remarkable beauty of this art form as the product of a long and continuing interaction of creative influence across geographical, political and cultural boundaries. Across Borders beautifully documents the complex process of cultural change and shows how the artistic activity of a Native American nation is intimately linked to the survival of its people.

We are planning to take a road trip on Saturday, January 11^th to visit this exhibit.You can car-pool with us from Glastonbury or meet us at the museum to tour the exhibit. We will probably leave Glastonbury around 10:00 am and arrive at the museum at 11:00 am. If you can't join us on the 11^th, please set aside some time in your schedule to take in the exhibit.

Getting to the Mashantucket Pequot Indian Museum

From Hartford:
Follow Route 2 East to Norwich and take Exit 28 South to I-395 South. From I-395 South, take Exit 79A to Route 2A East, crossing the Mohegan-Pequot Bridge. Continue along Route 2A East, which leads into Route 2 East. Continue past the main entrance to Foxwoods Resort Casino on the right, and take a right at the next traffic light onto Route 214. Drive 3/10 mile and turn right onto the Pequot Trail. The Public Safety Building will be on the left. Continue until you reach the museum parking lot.

From NYC/New Haven:
Follow I-95 North to Exit 92. At Exit 92, take a left onto Route 2 West. Stay on Route 2 West for 8 miles. Turn left onto Route 214, drive 3/10 mile, turn right onto Pequot Trail. The Public Safety Building will be on the left. Continue until you reach the museum parking lot.

From Rhode Island and Points North:
Follow Route 95 South to Exit 92. At the Exit, go to the second stop sign and take a right onto Route 2 West. Proceed as described above to the museum parking lot.