Saturday, January 13, 2018

A Field Trip to the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park, San Diego

"Kantha
Recycled and Embroidered Textiles
 of Bengal"

with

Courtenay McGowen
Collector, Independent Researcher, and TMA/SC Member
Coronado, California

Kantha is a term used across the Indian sub-continent to denote decorative stitched quilting.  In Gujarat, hangings patterned with concentric circles or squares in running stitch are known as kanthas, while in Bengal, kanthas are stitched for a variety of purposes, such as winter quilts, covers and wraps for books and valuables or as mats for ceremonial purposes.  They are most often given to daughters on the occasion of their marriage, as a token of love, or as a gift for a new-born child or grown son.  They are often, as tradition has it, made up of old cast off saris or dhotis.  They can be the work of two or more generations of women and are treasured as family heirlooms.  The forty kantha on display, now in the Mingei’s permanent collection, were collected and donated by TMA/SC member Courtenay McGowen, who will give us an in-depth talk on these textiles, as well as an exhibition tour. 

Courtenay received a BA from Finch College and an MA in Art History from Columbia University. Since joining the Coronado community, she has served on a number of Boards and Commissions, including the Cultural Arts Commission, and the Coronado Historic Resource Commission. In San Diego, Courtenay has chaired the Asian Arts Council of the San Diego Museum of Art, as well as co-chairing Programs for the AAC.  She is currently serving her second term as Chair of the Board of Mingei International Museum, and is involved in many committees there. She also ran the Coronado Art Walk for the Coronado Historical Association for twelve years.  A collector of many things, Courtenay is especially fond of ethnographic textiles, as witnessed by the current show of Kanthas she gifted to Mingei International Museum.  Her other textile interests include both Naga and Turkoman traditions.

                            Saturday, January 13, 2018

8 a.m. TMA/SC Coach Bus departs from Westwood  (Pick-ups in the South Bay and/or Orange County upon request)

11 a.m. Lecture with Courtenay McGowan at the Mingei International Museum, Balboa Park, San Diego

12 p.m.  Exclusive Buffet Luncheon for TMA members and guests in the Mingei Museum

1:00 – 3:30 p.m.  Tours of the Mingei Kantha and Navajo exhibitions, free time to visit other museums in Balboa Park, including the San Diego Museum of Art, and the Museum of Man.  

3:45 p.m.: Board Bus for 4 p.m. departure to Los Angeles, arriving by 7 p.m.

Self-Drive is also available, but we encourage you to relax and ride our large, comfortable coach.  Water and snacks will be served on the bus.  Sorry, no unreserved walk-ins will be admitted to the lecture or luncheon.

ADMISSION is by Pre-Paid Reservation only for both Bus and Self-Drive; guests are welcome.  Details are on the RESERVATION CARD and further directions WILL BE EMAILED TO PEOPLE WHO MAKE PREPAID RESERVATIONS.  Sorry, no unreserved walk-ins.  See information on cancellations on the Reservation Card. 

the fine print: Please see the    RESERVATION CARD     for reservation deadlines, including for the Early Bird Discount, postmarked on December 23.  SPACE IS LIMITED, so take advantage of the discount and postmark your reservation by December 23! 
 Final deadline for reservations is Postmarked on January 5, 2018.  Included in the price are the round-trip bus from Westwood to San Diego, Mingei Museum admission, lecture and Buffet Luncheon.

Also on view at the Mingei International Museum:
https://mingei.org/exhibitions/

NAVAJO WOMEN AND THE FEMININE ETHOS:  This exhibition features distinctive rugs and blankets of the Southwest United States. We will see a range of textiles created by Diné women, with geometric designs and patterns, all from Mingei International Museum's permanent collection.  Dec 09, 2017 - May 13, 2018

https://mingei.org/exhibitions/weaving-a-path/

Indonesian Shadow Puppets

An intimate exhibition in the Museum’s Theater Gallery featuring a selection of shadow puppets from Indonesia.Through March 18, 2018  https://mingei.org/exhibitions/indonesian-shadow-puppets/

Art of the Americas: Pre-Columbian Art from Mingei's Collection
is the most comprehensive presentation to date of the Museum’s significant holdings of objects used by people from the ancient cultures of Mexico, Central and South America. Objects featured in the exhibition straddle cultural boundaries—from the Olmec and Maya civilizations in Mexico to the Moche civilization in Peru—as well as numerous ancient traditions and cultures, including the indigenous Teuchitlán, Zoque, Huastec and western Mexican societies. Through February 18, 2018