EUGENE, Ore. - (Feb. 22, 2011) - An exhibit of masks made from recycled materials and designed to reflect the themes of natural history and evolution will open with a free public reception at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3, at the University of Oregon's Museum of Natural and Cultural History.
The Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts (M.E.C.C.A.) - a Eugene nonprofit that is dedicated to diverting scrap materials from the waste stream and into creative endeavors - cooperated on the exhibit with the museum, which is located at 1680 E. 15th Ave., in Eugene.
"Making Faces" will showcase masks created by museum visitors and UO students at two events sponsored by the museum education department. Selection criteria for the featured masks included a creative use of recycled materials, and a clear connection to the natural history and evolution themes.
"Collaborating with M.E.C.C.A. on the ‘Making Faces' exhibit has been a wonderful experience," says Stephanie Moore, a graduate student in arts management and museum intern. "We had two successful community events and we hope to continue offering exciting workshops together in the future.
"The 27 masks in the exhibit feature imaginative and familiar animals from unicorns to wolves," she said. "We are excited to showcase these masks made by community members and look forward to sharing them."
The UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and youths ages 17 and under, and $8 for families (two adults and up to four youths). Museum members, university faculty, staff and students are admitted free. Admission is free for the public on Wednesdays and guided tours are offered each Friday at 1 p.m.
About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is among the 108 institutions chosen from 4,633 U.S. universities for top-tier designation of "Very High Research Activity" in the 2010 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The UO also is one of two Pacific Northwest members of the Association of American Universities.
Contact: Judi Pruitt, assistant director of visitor services, 541-346-1671, judip@uoregon.edu
Links: Museum of Natural and Cultural History, natural-history.uoregon.edu