Horace C. Cabe Gallery
July 24 through December 31, 2006
Opening Reception on Friday, August 11, 5 – 8 pm in conjunction with 2nd Friday Art Night
The Purse
The Purse and the Person brings together life stories buried right under our noses— in the purses carried by our mothers and grandmothers. This exhibition looks at purses from the inside out, examining day-to-day life reflected in a very personal, very female artifact.
The Person
Glimpse into the lives of Edwardian matrons, flappers, wartime Rosie the Riveters, suburban housewives, hippies, businesswomen and more. The women of the 20th century reveal their personalities, their fashion sense, and their day-to-day concerns brought out in the mysterious depths of their purses.
The Collector
Arkansan Anita Davis has been collecting purses and the things that women put into them for more than a decade. Her still-growing collection of more than 3,000 purses and accessories focuses on handbags carried by a broad spectrum of American women.
Events
Opening Reception
Friday, August 11, 5 – 8 pm
Enjoy live music and refreshments during the exhibit’s opening reception.
Gallery Talk
Friday, September 8, 6 pm
Collector Anita Davis will discuss the purse as an expression of the changing roles of women in society. Her talk is in conjunction with 2nd Friday Art Night, 5 – 8 pm.
P is for Purse
A children’s story and crafts hour
Saturday, August 12 and September 9, 10 am
Join us in the galleries for a reading of My Granny’s Purse by P.H. Hanson and Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes. Then, in our Hands-on History room, kids can “pick a purse” and decorate it. This event is fun for ages 3 to 8.
All events are free and open to the public.