Current Exhibitions
THE EVOLUTION OF THE JAPANESE SWORD
January 18-May 4, 2025
More than a mere weapon of war, the iconic Samurai sword of Japan and its accompanying fittings were elevated to works of high art that were, and still are, treasured and collected for their beauty and craftsmanship.
The Evolution of the Japanese Sword is organized by Jidai Arts.
Fuchi Kashira (handle collar and end cap), 18th Century by Hisanori. This set made of shakudo alloy, gold, and silver, features an elaborate design of peacocks, which were often kept by high level samurai as sentries on their grounds due to their territorial nature. Image courtesy Jidai Arts.
It Happened Here: Expo '74 Fifty Years After
May 4, 2024-January 26, 2025
This 50th anniversary exhibition revisits the historical roots of Expo ‘74’s environmental theme and the community spirit it kindled and features familiar, nostalgic, and lesser-known stories from the MAC’s largest archival collection. Highlights include a bejeweled denim costume that Liberace wore for one of his Expo ’74 performances, Sister Paula Turnbull’s model for Spokane’s now-famous Garbage Goat, an original Sky Ride gondola, and films from the MAC's archives.
Expo '74 image: NWC 129 – Dormaier, Jacob #164, Spokane Public Library (Jacob Dormaier Expo '74 Collection)
It Happened Here: Expo '74 Fifty Years After Exhibition Info
Julie Simpson: Outdoor Sanctuary
January 10-March 9, 2025
2023 ArtFest award-winner Julie Simpson presents her colorful mixed media paintings filled with organic imagery and geometric shapes and forms.
Born in California, the love of sunshine and the beach enhanced Simpson’s appreciation of the outdoors. Botanical details, succulents, and all things patterned, including vintage handkerchiefs, quilts, woven tapestries, and rugs, are also sources of inspiration.
Observing small details of textures and shapes sparked Simpson's early interest in fine pencil drawing, which led to exploring other art mediums including ceramics, printmaking, and sculpture. She earned a degree in textiles from the Rhode Island School of Design and has been painting and doing textile work for more than 30 years. She lives in Olympia, WA.
Julie Simpson, Arena, oil on canvas. photo courtesy of the artist.
Woman, Artist, Catalyst: Art from the Permanent Collection
June 22, 2024-March 9, 2025
Focusing on locally, nationally, and internationally known woman-identifying artists, this exhibition of work from the MAC's permanent collection showcases the quality and varied focus of leading artists and art movements in the Inland and Pacific Northwest.
Z. Vanessa Helder, Palouse Rhythm, 1939-1941, watercolor on paper. Gift of Ms. Ruth Thompson.
Woman, Artist, Catalyst: Art from the Permanent Collection Exhibition Info
1924: Sovereignty, Leadership, and the Indian Citizenship Act
February 17, 2024-March 16, 2025
On June 2, 1924, Congress enacted the Indian Citizenship Act, granting citizenship to all American Indians born in the United States. Shortly after this act, Spokane announced it would host the first American Indian Congresses in 1925. These were some of the first events where tribal leaders, government officials, and community members from around the United States gathered to formally participate in talks on rights and advocacy. 1924 commemorates this 100-year anniversary, centering on early local tribal leadership as they and their people navigated the sometimes-conflicting nature of being both U.S. citizens and citizens of their own sovereign nations.
L-R: Chief William Yallup, Mrs. William Yallup, Tom Yallup - Son of Chief, 1925. Frank Guilbert, Photographer. Photograph from the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture Frank Guilbert Collection (L97-2.3)
1924: Sovereignty, Leadership, and the Indian Citizenship Act Exhibition Info