Current Exhibits

a headress made of ropes, twine woven and beaded.

Surfacing II: A Trio of Exhibitions by MUSE Faculty and Students

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The trio of exhibitions draw attention to ideas, individuals, and cultural and artistic forms that are worthy of further examination. They merit surfacing.

Threads of Humanity: The Significance of Headwear. Curated and installed by the faculty and students of “MUSE 354: Exhibition Design”, this exhibit features thirty superb headpieces from around the world, partnered with a selection of travel posters from RIT’s own Cary Graphic Arts Collection. 

As a society grows and ideals change, the value of a headpiece also transforms, and consequently, records its country’s history in an indelible way. “Threads of Humanity: The Significance of Headwear” explores how a seemingly mundane item can communicate much about a society’s culture, specifically, its craftsmanship, occupations, traditions, and identity. The visitor is invited to examine these themes, learn about the specificities and commonalities of the items on display, and reflect on the values of headwear in their own culture.

 This exhibit was made possible by: Stacey Miller, collection owner of the loaned headpieces on display, Shane Durgee, Bevier Gallery Coordinator, Amelia J Hugill-Fontanel, Associate Curator in the Cary Collection, Genesee Country Village & Museum and the generous financial support of the College of Liberal Arts’ Dean’s Office. 

Cambodia: A Culture After Genocide. Von Stevens (class of 2025) presents “Cambodia: A Culture After Genocide” which tells the story of Cambodia after a devastating genocide by the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979 through the use of a personal collection that covers the topics of Buddhism, performing arts and textiles which reflect not only Cambodian cultural heritage but also identity.

Stories in Style.  Riley Mason (class of 2025) presents “Stories in Style,” an interactive exhibit which explores connections between modern fashion and the Bruce and Susan Greene Costume Collection at Genesee Country Village & Museum.

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an upholstered club chair with a basketry like woven back.

Woven by Design - Mindy Magyar

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Mindy Magyar, associate professor, Industrial Design, College of Art and Design presents Woven by Design, a seating collection deeply rooted in the rich tradition of Mi’kmaw black ash basketry. This practice, a cornerstone of Mi’kmaw cultural heritage, faces an existential threat from the emerald ash borer—an invasive beetle from East Asia that has decimated ash tree populations across North America. The relentless spread of this pest has already claimed tens of millions of ash trees in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada, severely impacting the availability of black ash.

As the black ash supply dwindles, the continuity of basket making traditions across the Eastern Woodlands is at risk. In response to this crisis, Magyar's work explores alternative materials for weaving, seeking to honor the essence of Mi’kmaw artistry while adapting to the changing environmental landscape. Through this collection, Magyar aims to raise awareness of the ecological challenges we face and celebrate the resilience and innovation inherent in our cultural practices.

an upholstered wing back chair with a basketry like woven back.
an upholstered wing back chair with a basketry like woven back.
intentional white space
intentional white space

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More Exhibitions

Upcoming Exhibition
a black and white photograph of a long paved road lined with tall trees on each side.

Ancestral Roads: A Journey through Time, Place, and Memory in Poland and Beyond

In his first major photographic exhibition, Dr. Brian Tomaszewski, a professor in RIT’s B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences, presents a compelling reflection on how both the past and present shape our understanding of identity, history, and place[...]

Upcoming Exhibition
a series of ten photographic images of a person with changing facial features and different clothing over a ten year span.

of what might yet (have) be(en)

In 2013-2014 I worked on a series in which I photographed 58 individuals for the series, Androgyny. Androgyny explored the power and complexity of gender identity through photographic portraits, short films, and a large-scale installation of a non-functioning public restroom[...]

Past Exhibition
a poster with a police officer standing over a person bundled in a blanket lying on an outdoor bench.

Surfacing: A Trio of Exhibitions by MUSE Faculty and Students

The trio of exhibitions draw attention to ideas, individuals, and cultural and artistic forms that are worthy of further examination. They merit surfacing. Transgressive: From the Guerrilla Girls to Pussy Riot Curated by RIT Museum Studies Program Director Juilee Decker[...]

Past Exhibition
a photograph of an extinct taxidermy Carolina Parrot bird.

The Afterlifes of Natural History - Images by Denis Defibaugh

The Labrador duck, the great auk and the passenger pigeon—they are long gone, extinct for well over a century. The Afterlife’s of Natural History project focuses on critically endangered and vanished birds, mammals and extinct species that are housed in collections of museums[...]