Current Exhibitions
Samurai, Sunrise, Sunset
February 1-June 1, 2025
Step into the world of a Samurai and experience the armor, weaponry, and personal items that comprise Samurai, Sunrise, Sunset. Dedicated to the powerful military class that ruled Japan for over 700 years, each item tells a story through its master craftsmanship and individual details.
Samurai, Sunrise, Sunset is organized by Contemporanea Progetti, Italy in collaboration with the Museo Stibbert, Italy, in cooperation with the EDG, USA.
Image ©Archivio Fotografico Museo Stibbert.
Samurai, Sunrise, Sunset Exhibition Info
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.
Andrea Joyce Heimer: No Name That I Know Of
February 14-May 25, 2025
Through collage-like layers of detail, Washington-based artist Andrea Joyce Heimer reconstructs tangled memories of her upbringing in rural Montana. The artist combines autobiography, fantasy, and dark humor to explore themes of loneliness and belonging.
Abridged title: When I Was About 11 And Had a Bright Pink Windbreaker We Would Go To The Horse Sale Outside Of Town To Watch The Bidders Buy This Horse Or That Horse [...] (detail), 2022, Acrylic on panel, 60 x 80 in (152.4 x 203. 2 cm). Image courtesy of the artist and Megan Mulrooney.
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