general info
The Bowers is buzzing over the excitement generated by the recent exhibition opening of “Lucy’s Legacy: The Hidden Treasure of Ethiopia.”
We are very grateful to a number of Ethiopian delegates who recently spent the week in Southern California to celebrate the opening festivities. “Lucy ’s Legacy ” is among the best openings in our history, largely because of the very high level delegation who visited from Ethiopia. This delegation was led by His Excellency Amin Abdulkadir, Minister of Culture and Tourism, and included Reta Alemu Nega, Director of International Legal Affairs for Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Yonas Desta, Director General of Authority for Research & Conservation of Cultural Heritage. The positive response from the Ethiopian delegates to our installation and programming was very gratifying and by the end of the weekend, the Bowers signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining future cooperation between the National Museum of Ethiopia and the Bowers. We did agree to close the exhibition two weeks earlier than scheduled, on April 28, due to the fact that Ethiopia is hosting this year’s meeting of the African Union and they want Lucy to be the star of the show on May 1. Lucy has been touring the United States, seen by hundreds of thousands of visitors while exhibited in Houston, New York and Seattle before coming to the Bowers. It is very exciting for all Ethiopians that she is returning home after a five year absence.
The remainder of 2013 will be full of sparkle and allure as we open “Gems of the Medici” from Italy this Spring, closely followed by “The Tsars’ Cabinet” and “Jewels of the Connoisseur” this Summer. Then in November, we will bring you Van Cleef & Arpels exhibition that just closed in Paris, France. If you’re not into gorgeous jewels and gems, “Maurice Sendak: 50 Years, 50 Works, 50 Reasons” has been extended until April 28. Plus the Fall schedule will include a very unusual exhibit from the Vatican’s Ethnographic Museum of items collected by early explorers and missionaries from around the world, including by Columbus on his voyage to America. This is a small, but very important exhibition that will be a must see for everyone. I’m very pleased that the Bowers continues to grow and to further its relationships around the world to bring treasures to California for all to see, learn, and enjoy.
Peter C. Keller, Ph.D
