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The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE



Contact: Carolyn Gonzales 277-5920
cgonzal@unm.edu

March 5, 2007

Maxwell Museum Celebrates 75 Years

To commemorate the 75 th Anniversary of the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, the oldest public museum in Albuquerque, a series of free public events will be offered, beginning this month with a commemorative exhibit and activities for all.

“North by Southwest, Bering Sea Communities, Collaborations and Collections,”an exhibit of Alaskan native life, displays artifacts, photographs and prints from the Maxwell museum collection - many previously unseen by the public. Subsistence living, art, ritual and the tools that support these activities will be on display from March 2007 through June 2008.

National Park Service Cultural Anthropologist Herbert O. Anungazuk, a Native Alaskan, will deliver a preview lecture talk about Bering Sea communities on Thu rsday, March 8, at 7 p.m. The exhibit opening celebration takes place Friday, March 9, from 6-8 p.m. On Saturday, March 10, from 1-3:30 p.m., Anungazuk will demonstrate the traditional art of walrus ivory carving as part of the Artisans of the World program.

Also on Saturday, co-curators Catherine Baudoin of the Maxwell Museum and Joyce Szabo, department chair and UNM professor of Art and Art History, will be on hand to discuss and answer questions about the exhibit. The Passport to People family program will provide fun Alaskan heritage-based activities for all ages.

“The desire to follow the ways of our ancestors is not based on a desperate belief to survive. It is based on the values and qualities of unity and sharing that was established by our ancestors ages ago,” said Anungazuk.

For more information, contact: Mary Beth Hermans, 277-1400.

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