Curator Gaylord Torrence on Search, Discovery, and Surprise of American Indian Art Collection

KCUR

Published October 27, 2009 at 8:04 AM CDT

Lonnie Vigil, Nambe, New Mexico, born 1949. Micaceous Pottery Jar, 2007.

On November 11th, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art opens its new galleries dedicated to American Indian art, right next to the museum's newly reinstalled American art galleries. At 6,100 square feet, the galleries are among the largest devoted to American Indian art in any comprehensive art museum.By Laura Spencer

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-867785.mp3

Kansas City, MO – Curator Gaylord Torrence arrived at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in 2002 and has led the expansion and reinterpretation of the museum's collection of American Indian art, which started in the early 1930s with purchases of beaded costumes, baskets, pottery and textiles. Torrence took a break from the installation recently and spoke with KCUR's Laura Spencer.

A Peek Inside the Installation of the American Indian Art Galleries, early October 2009

Photos: Laura Spencer/KCUR

The American Indian art galleries at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art open on November 11, 2009. A preview for museum members takes place November 6 - 8 followed by a special community celebration November 14 - 15.
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