Shapeshifting at the Peabody Essex Museum

This weekend the Peabody Essex Museum opens their new exhibit, Shapeshifting: Transformations in Native American Art.  I got to go to the Press Preview for the exhibit earlier this week, and I can't wait to return and spend more time with the exhibition.

Featuring more than 80 works from around the world, Shapeshifting presents and celebrates both historic and contemporary Native American art and culture.  The exhibit is interactive, with iPads installed throughout the galleries to allow visitors to learn more, and express their thoughts.

This is a mixed-media exploration of Native American Art, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, photography, drawing, film, video, and monumental installations.  The monumental installations are particularly remarkable, both beautiful just to behold, and both with deeper messages for those who want to stop and consider.

Shapeshifting is on view through April 29, 2012.  There will be an Atrium Alive Weekend Festival featuring interactive and engaging programming on February 18 and 19.

If you can attend opening day on January 14, here are some of the planned events:



11:00 am & 1:00 pm 
DOCENT-LED GALLERY TOURS
Meet at information desk. Tickets available on day of tour

11:45 am–12:30 pm 
OPENING CEREMONY AND PERFORMANCE
Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers.
Using instruments and songs passed down for generations, performers from the Wampanoag Nation share the sounds and styles of Northeastern traditional cultures.

1–3 pm 
STUDIO SATURDAYS | Make a Drum
Art Studios.
Design a drum that represents you or your family.

2:30–3:15 pm
PERFORMANCE | Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers
Atrium
Using instruments and songs passed down for generations, performers from the Wampanoag Nation share the sounds and styles of Northeastern traditional cultures.

Click here to learn more

Read about the exhibit in the Salem News.

Read about the exhibit in The Boston Globe.