| Museum of International Folk Art opened to the public in 1953 and has gained national and international recognition as the home to the world's largest collection of folk art. The collection of more than 130,000 artifacts forms the basis for exhibitions in four distinct wings.The Girard Wing's popular permanent exhibition, Multiple Visions: A Common Bond, showcases folk art, popular art, toys and textiles from more than 100 nations. The late Alexander Girard, who contributed his immense collection to the Museum, designed this unorthodox and delightful exhibition, which opened in 1982.The Hispanic Heritage Wing introduces the culture of northern New Mexico, and its permanent exhibition, Familia y Fe/Family and Faith, focuses on two of the strongest currents that continue to shape regional life today. Spanning four centuries from the Spanish colonial period to the 20th century, the exhibition presents hide paintings, tinwork, furniture, jewelry, straw appliqu, horse gear, weavings, and santos, three-dimensional bultos and painted retablos.The Bartlett Wing, named in honor of museum founder Florence Dibell Bartlett, has two galleries that offer rotating exhibitions based on the museum collections and on field studies of specific cultures or art forms. Exhibition in this wing have ranged from Turkish, Tibetan and Swedish traditions to New Deal era art in New Mexico, recycled objects and maylica. Recent exhibitions include 100 Aspects of the Moon: Japanese Woodblockprints by Yoshitoshi and Dressing Up: Children's Clothes from Around the World.The Neutrogena Wing encompasses the Cotsen Gallery and Lloyd's Treasure Chest. The gallery provides an ideal setting for exhibitions featuring textiles from the Museum's renowned collection which now includes the Neutrogena Collection, a gift to the museum from Lloyd Cotsen and the Neutrogena Corporation in 1995. This international collection contains exquisite textiles and garments as well as objects. The Treasure Chest invites visitors to explore what goes on behind-the-scenes in a museum and attracts all ages. The Neutrogena Wing opened in 1998, expanding upon an ongoing public-private partnership that has characterized the museum's profile since its inception. |
|
