Firsthand History: A Curator Reflects By Rebecca Prinster, Assistant Curator of History AS ASSISTANT CURATOR OF HISTORY at the Albuquerque Museum, it’s my role to oversee the development of exhibits on view in the William
Join Creative Age Workshops
A. + Loretta Barrett Keleher community history gallery. This small gallery was set aside to be a space where community members could tell their
THIS WINTER, THE ALBUQUERQUE MUSEUM
own (hi)stories and was first initiated in 2015 as a way to fill thematic and
continues the Creative Age workshops for
narrative gaps in our then-newly renovated, permanent history exhibit.
adults ages 55 and older. Sponsored by a
For these exhibitions, members of the community propose and devel-
grant from Aroha Philanthropies, Creative Age
op a project, and our staff makes their dreams a reality. My job through
workshops are part of the Vitality Arts education
this is to keep the community group on schedule and act as a translator
programs for older adults. Community artists
between them and the Museum staff.
teach the workshops, which complement current exhibitions in the Museum.
Past exhibitions have explored a variety of community
PUPPET MAKING WITH DEVON LUDLOW
histories, including
Devon Ludlow, puppeteer for Human Beast Box
the influx of people
and Meow Wolf, will teach puppet making in
to Albuquerque
January and February. This class accompanies
seeking treatment for
The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlim-
tuberculosis, Fair-
ited. Classes are held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sun-
view Cemetery, the
days and Tuesdays from January 7 to February
Chinese American
2. Classes culminate with a public presentation
community, and the
and reception on February 4.
role of the Territory of New Mexico during the American Revolu-
Baby lions used in an opening day performance for the Chinese American community history exhibition.
DREAMS UNREAL DANCE AND MOVEMENT WORKSHOP
tion. Our most recent
The new exhibition, Dreams Unreal: The Genesis
exhibition was about the Japanese incarceration camps that were in New
of the Psychedelic Rock Poster, will serve as the
Mexico during World War Two.
springboard for a dance workshop taught by
Creating exhibitions with nonprofessionals is not without its chal-
Keshet Center for the Arts’ faculty member Adri-
lenges, though. Community groups and Museum staff may prioritize
an Moore Trask. “Participants will draw from the
deadlines differently, and work schedules are not always complementary.
formal elements and imagery of the psychedelic
Moreover there is the question—who or what constitutes a “community”?
posters, the emotion of the music, and the ideas
Despite the challenges, my experience co-curating these exhibitions has
and historical context as inspiration for move-
been rich and rewarding. These groups have educated me through the
ment invention, discussion and connection, and
retelling of their experiences and taught me how to be a better collabora-
creative exploration,” says Trask.
tor. Plus, these relationships often carry on beyond the exhibit closing date, which is a reward in itself. Community members are invited to contact the Museum for more information or for an exhibition proposal form. 10
WINTER 2020
Art. History. People.
Dance and movement will be offered from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesdays, January 22 through March 11, followed by a public performance and reception on March 18.
