The exhibit “Stitching and Sharing Culture: Molas from Panama’s Guna People,” opening September 15 at the International Quilt Museum (IQM), will feature complex textiles that share the rich imagery, both indigenous and cross-cultural, that Guna women have long incorporated into their stitched handiwork.
The display is the culmination of a four-week course developed by Emira Ibrahimpašić, associate professor of practice in the School of Global Integrative Studies, in collaboration with Saitama University in Japan. "ANTH 292: Stitching Culture: U.S.-Japan Quilt Exhibit Collaborative" is an experiential learning course funded by a grant from the Office of Global Experiences. The students are working under the guidance of Ibrahimpasic and Marin Hanson, Curator of International Collections at the IQM. Ibrahimpasic said the goal was to have a global experience locally.
Nine students and a faculty member from Saitama University arrived September 3 to participate in a two-week internship at the IQM. They are here to learn about exhibit design and textiles while engaging with UNL students.
During their stay, Ibrahimpasic and students in the course are organizing several events, including the “Welcome Picnic” held for the Japanese students' arrival. Those who want to participate can RSVP here: https://forms.office.com/r/srfGvu18J1.
A reception for the exhibit will be held on opening day at 4:30 p.m., with brief presentations from the students at 5:00 p.m. The event will be held in conjunction with Lincoln’s celebration of Welcoming Week, an annual, worldwide event that invites communities to embrace inclusivity and deepen their commitment to creating places that are welcoming to everyone.
