A
new exhibit at the Main Library celebrates two great occasions – the
centennial anniversary of the UA School of Anthropology and Women’s
History Month – by exploring the seminal work, impact and achievements
of women in the field of anthropology. Through biographical profiles,
photographs, studies and monographs covering gender, race and feminism
in anthropology, “Celebrating Excellence: Women in Anthropology”
highlights the contributions of seven influential American female
anthropologists.
Covering the 20th century to present day, the exhibit features the work of:
-Ruth Underhill (1883-1984), known for her many publications that dispelled myths about Native American culture
-Ruth Benedict (1887-1948), an anthropologist and folklorist known
for studies of the relationships between personality, art, language and
culture. Benedict was also the second female president of the American
Anthropological Association
-Gladys Reichard (1893-1955), a cultural and linguistic anthropologist best known for her studies of Navajo language and culture
-Hortense Powdermaker (1896-1970), best known for her ethnographic studies of African Americans in rural America
-Margaret Mead (1901-1978), a cultural anthropologist who tackled
controversial social issues and became a frequent speaker and lecturer
in 1960s and 1970s
-Ruth Landes (1908-1991), a cultural anthropologist best known for
studies on Brazilian candomblé cults and her study of race and gender
relations
-Jane Hill, Regents’ Professor and Professor of Anthropology and
Linguistics at the University of Arizona known for her research on the
Uto-Aztecan languages and language ideology
“Celebrating Excellence: Women in Anthropology” is on display in the
UA Main Library from March 9-Aug. 27 and was curated as a companion
display to Special Collections current exhibition, “Celebrating
Excellence: 100 Years of UA Anthropology,” which runs through July 30.
I learned a great deal about the history of the University by doing this exhibit. The Anthropology program, started by the great archaeologist, E.E. Cummings, put the University on the map in the early part of the 20th century. The more I read about Cummings and his successors, Emil Haury, Raymond Thompson, Ed Spicer, Clara Lee Tanner, the more admiration I felt for my home institution. The Anthropology department has a fascinating history. My effort at capturing 100 years of it is shown below. Although I know I didn’t quite cover the entire 100 year period, it was quite gratifying to know that the late Dr. Raymond Thompson liked my work. Meeting him was the highlight of the whole experience for me.
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the
founding of the School of Anthropology, Special Collections has put together an
exhibition that features a variety of historical material, including photos,
original documents, pamphlets, articles and books related to the school and its
impact on our campus and community.
Included will be archival materials on Byron Cummings,
founder of the program, and his successors Emil Haury, and Raymond Thompson.
These photos, documents and articles come from a variety of places, but most
notably from the University of Arizona Biographical files, housed in Special
Collections.
Also on display will be information about various
archaeological field schools, such as Point of Pines and Grasshopper, as will information
about the Bureau of Ethnic Research (now called the Bureau of Applied Research
in Anthropology) and the “Garbage project”.
Historic photos and information about the Arizona State
Museum, which was for many, many years, managed by the directors of the
anthropology program is also included.
Documents from various manuscript collections of former
students and faculty, most notably Henry Dobyns, Trudy Griffin-Pierce and Paul
Ezell will add to the exhibit’s focus on the history of the anthropology
program.
The University of Arizona Press is also highlighted, as Dr.
Emil Haury was a key player in convincing then President Harvill to get the
Press started in 1959. Over the years, the UA Press has focused on
publishing a number of works in anthropology and archaeology, many of them
written by UA faculty, and these will be featured as well.
Some of the documents and other materials that are
noteworthy include:
Byron Cummings hand written resume, submitted to
the University upon applying for a position in 1915.
Paul Ezell’s field notebook from his time spent
at Point of Pines in 1939.
1930’s annual reports from the Anthropology
Dept.
Original photos of the Arizona State Museum in
its various locations.
Photos of members of the UA Anthropology club.
Early publications such as the Kiva, the Atlatl,
and the UA Press’s Occasional Papers in Anthropology.
Two companion exhibits are also in the works. In March, the Main Library will host an exhibit on women and anthropology, and in April, an exhibit about A.E. Douglass and the Tree Ring Lab will open in the Science Engineering Library.
Dr. Raymond Thompson, who was director of both the School of Anthropology and the Arizona State Museum for many years, wrote a very kind letter to my supervisor where he noted how much he enjoyed the exhibit. I was both humbled and gratified to receive this kind of recognition, as I put my heart and soul into this project. Dr. Thompson passed away recently. He was a real gentleman.
Dr. Raymond Thompson, 1924-2020.
“Join us as Diane Austin, Professor and Director of the School of Anthropology and Research Anthropologist with the Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology (BARA) opens Special Collections’ newest exhibition.
The presentation will highlight some of the key historical and current challenges addressed by University of Arizona anthropologists”
I designed this year’s altar. Jennifer Eschedor loaned us her quilt, titled, “The Unknowns” for the occasion.
This year’s altar focused on honoring people how had died in 2015, including actors, musicians, writers and other prominent Americans, such as Pete Seeger, Maya Angelou, Lou Reed, Lauren Bacall, Carlos Fuentes and others. Jennifer Eschedor, a local educator and artist, also loaned her quilt, honoring those who had died while trying to cross the desert, to Special Collections, for display alongside the altar.
Here’s the promo I wrote for the altar:
Dia De Los Muerto Altar at Special Collections
The staff of Special Collections are once again setting up a “Dia De Los Muertos” altar in the Special Collections exhibit gallery. There are several ways you can participate. You are welcome to bring a photo of a departed loved one to place on the altar anytime from now until November 7. You can also join the procession that will take place at noon on Monday November 3. Led by a group of visiting teachers from Mexico, it will start at Special Collections and finish at the Cesar Chavez Building. “Pan de muerto” (Day of the Day bread) and hot chocolate will be served . Talks about the significance of “El Dia De Los Muertos” will also be presented by our guests from Mexico. Everyone is welcome!
“The Unknowns” by Jennifer Eschedor.
ABOUT THE QUILT:
This quilt, titled The Unknowns,
was made to commemorate the people who lost their lives while attempting to
cross the US/Mexican border during fiscal year 2012-2013 as they were seeking a
better life for themselves and their families.
An organization called Los Desconicidos, founded by Jody Ipsen,
seeks individuals and groups to use migrant clothing to create a quilt to honor
those who have died during each fiscal year since 2000. I found the names and causes of death on a
website provided by the Coalition de Derechos Humanos. My purpose for creating this quilt was to
increase awareness of the horrors that continue at our border. The skull image has become a pop symbol, yet
it is used here to hopefully confront viewers with the outrageous number of
deaths (183) that occurred during one year.
The skull, gun and hammer images were carved out of linoleum and printed
individually on cloth. I wanted to give
a graphic illustration of the cause of deaths.
In the extremes of the desert environment, many bodies are found so
decomposed that the cause of death, and even gender can not be determined. Working with jeans that were actually worn
by the migrants made me feel a strong connection to them as real people….I couldn’t help but
imagine the families they left behind.
I received a BFA from Kent State
University in Studio Art with a focus in textiles. After teaching art in public schools in
Pittsburgh, PA for a few years, I grew tired of the gray skies and moved out to
Tucson in 1999 to attend the University of Arizona. In 2000, I earned my MA in Art Education and
have taught in a variety of situations, both public and private in Tucson. Currently, I enjoy working in mixed media.
Jennifer Eschedor
A close up of this year’s altar, honoring those who had passed on in 2015.
