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Many Faces: A Cherokee Mask Exhibit
July 3, 2020 - May 1, 2021
$7.00 – $12.00
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian celebrated the grand opening of its newest exhibit, Many Faces: A Cherokee Mask Exhibit. This exhibit showcases the masks, the people who made them, and the traditions and customs behind their creation and use.
Many Faces is designed to provide visitors with accurate, detailed, and insightful information into Cherokee history, traditions, and ceremonies. The exhibit is a compilation of masks of different mediums, paintings, and photographs. While some of the masks are from the Museum’s Collection, most of the masks were submitted by members of the community. Over 150 masks are showcased. Many of the masks are made from various types of wood, but there are a few gourd, hornet’s nest, and ceramic masks. The oldest masks on display, which are around 100 years old, were made by Will West Long. The exhibit has been funded by the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, the North Carolina Arts Council, and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.
Laura Walkingstick, a ceramic artist and doll maker who has multiple masks in the exhibit, says that each of her masks represent different things depending on the intention she puts into them. Her masks in the exhibit are made out of clay, metal, copper, and brass.
Laura has two masks in the exhibit that she’s collected from her cousins Garfield Long Sr. and Denny Crowe, who’ve already passed. She has one large ceramic mask that represents the meth epidemic problem, two doll-sized ceramic masks, and two doll sized metal masks.
Many Faces: A Cherokee Mask Exhibit will be on display until May 1, 2021. The Museum of the Cherokee Indian is open year round from 9 am to 5 pm, and closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Starting June 1st, the museum will be open Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm, and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Cost of tickets is $12 for adults and $7 for children ages 6-13. Children ages 5 and under are free. Audio tours are available in English, Spanish, and German languages, and discounts are available for groups, and for AARP members, AAA members, and the military.
