Weaving a Tale: Basketry in the Southwest

Exhibit Overview

"Weaving Stories: Basketry in the Southwest" explored basket-making technology through the entire human history of the southwest, from thousands of years ago through today. Objects from the Anasazi Heritage Center’s collections as well as those on loan from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Twin Rocks Trading Post in Bluff, Utah and Mesa Verde National Park were displayed.

Visitor Experience

Visitors to "Weaving Stories: Basketry in the Southwest," gained a sense of the continuity of basket making techniques as well as the creative artistry of the modern basket makers. Artists were introduced to the visitors through a picture and an artist statement, and they also communicated through the artistry of their baskets. Additional information was provided for the prehistoric and historic baskets to provide the visitor with information about their context and use.

Lighting and Layout

The exhibit was divided into three main sections: prehistoric baskets, historic baskets, and modern baskets. The prehistoric and historic baskets were all displayed on stands inside cases, while the modern baskets were displayed upright on shelves on the far wall. Plexi-glass sheets hung in front of the modern baskets to protect them from dust and visitor touching.
Because of the delicate nature of the baskets, light levels were kept very low. We used indirect LED lights to create as little impact as possible on the organic materials. Direct lighting was used on exhibit panels to ensure legibility.

One basket that has been C14 dated at 7,000 years old was so delicate that it was kept under a curtain to minimize the light. A budget friendly solution was devised using opaque fabric and Velcro. This curtain not only protected the basket but created an anticipation and discovery moment for the visitor when the curtain was lifted.

Fonts and Color

Sans-serif fonts were used to create inviting exhibit texts. Candara was used for headings and Calibri was used for body texts. Warm shades of brown and deep reds pulled from the baskets themselves with bright pops of blue create welcoming panels and graphics. Walls painted in a soft yellow provide a perfect backdrop to the colorful baskets.

Label Hierarchy

A three part label hierarchy was used in this exhibit:

Panels introduce subthemes. 50 to 125 words.

Case labels describe the objects places in the overall story. 75 to 150 words.

Object labels provide specific catalog number and loan information for each object. Minimal words.

On display at the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, CO, February 2016 through February 2017.