EXHIBITIONS

Engaging exhibitions at Agua Caliente Cultural Museum portray the history and culture of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and other indigenous people. Exhibitions draw from extensive collections of archaelogical material, objects of material culture, art, crafts, documents, publications, photographs, and audiovisual media -- historic and contemporary.

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS:

Raw Earth and Fire Clouds
Through October 17, 2010
Pottery began with the Chauilla People long after basketry had reached a high level of artistry. At least 500 years ago, pottery techniques were adopted to supplement baskets as utensils for storage and cooking. Local clays were processed and coiled in shapes to hold water, seeds, and pigments. This exhibition interprets the full spectrum of pottery from clay sources, manufacture, pigments and painting, to firing the finished product.

This exhibition is sponsored by Debbie, Anthony & Andrew Purnel, and Ambrosia M. Howell, in memory of Priscilla Patencio Gonzales.

Kennewick Man on Trial
Through March 21, 2010
Kennewick Man on Trial explores important legal, ethical, and scientific issues raised by the accidental discovery of a nearly complete male skeleton with a projectile point lodged in his right hip. This skeleton, unearthed in 1996 in Kennewick, Washington, is described as "Caucasoid" and carbon dated between 5,650 and 9,510 years old. Text and quotes present a variety of points of view on issues of federal law and the care of Native American human remains, how people first came to the Americas, and changing ideas about race. Kennewick Man on Trial was developed by the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture at the University of Washington in Seattle.

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PERMANENT EXHIBITIONS:

A Woman of Influence: Flora Patencio – This exhibition is a study of Flora Patencio, a strong leader in the history of the Agua Caliente people. Flora participated in some of  the most important political and cultural decisions of her time.

Cahuilla Culture & History Gallery - Photographs, maps, and text tell the story of the early times of the Cahuilla people.  A five minute film entitled Indian Family of the California Desert re-enacts the early Cahuilla traditional life.

Bighorn Sculpture - View Pemtemwhaha, painted by the Museum's Director of Education O'Jay Vanegas, as part of the Path of the Bighorn community art project. The mission of this project is to increase awareness of the plight of the endangered peninsular bighorn sheep of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains.

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OFF-SITE EXHIBITIONS:

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum shares its resources through collaborations with CSU/San Bernardino (Palm Desert Campus), the City of Palm Springs, and othe institutions. Off-site exhibitions offer a unique glimpse of local history for university students and staff, Coachella Valley residents, and visitors.

Tahquitz Country - Explore symbols and artwork of the Cahuilla people through designs used in pottery, basketry, and rock art. Take a photographic journey through the heart of Cahuilla territory - home of shaman Tahquitz.

• California State University/San Bernardino
  Palm Desert Campus
  37500 Cook Street, Palm Desert

Time Immemorial - A time line on the early life of the Cahuilla people.

• Palm Springs City Hall
  3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs

Dream of the Blue Frog - This exhibition focuses on the history and lore of the Agua Caleinte Hot Spring from ancient times to the present. Blue Frog is one of the nukatem (spiritual beings) residing in the spring.

• Spa Resort Casino Hotel (location of the hot spring)
  100 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

Additional displays of artifacts and archival photographs are displayed in the hotel lobby of the Spa Resort Casino and the Tahquitz Canyon Visitors Center.