Past Exhibitions

Natural Wanderment: Stewardship. Sovereignty. Sacredness

9 November 2018 – 3 May 2019
Curator: Matika Wilbur, Project 562

A member of the Swinomish and Tulalip tribes, Matika Wilbur has been photographing contemporary Native Americans as part of an epic documentary undertaking titled Project 562. When completed, it will include portraits from all 562 Federally recognized tribes in the United States. Her photography aims to resist the idea of “vanishing races” that has pervaded the narrative surrounding Native American portraiture since the late-19^thcentury. This presentation included dozens of Wilbur’s recent works, focusing on portraits of individuals from the Southwest.

My Ewaa Ah: Johnny Bear Contreras’s Scuplture and Kumeyaay Works from the May Collection

22 September 2017 – 18 May 2018
Curators: Joyce Antorietto and Derrick R. Cartwright, University of San Diego

In 2016, local artist Johnny Bear Contreras received a commission from USD to create a public artwork for the Kumeyaay Garden that borders the North east edge of campus. This exhibition explored the artist's proposal through sketches and past creations, as well as by pairing his work with examples of Kumeyaay basketry and ceramics from the May Collection. 

IMPRINT: Recent Acquisitions from the David W. May Collection

29 September 2016 – 19 May 2017
Curators: Joyce Antorietto and Derrick Cartwright, University of San Diego

This exhibition demonstrated what can be gained by championing contemporary Native American artists while placing their works in a dialogue with more historic objects from the collection.  Because Imprint was a celebration of newly-arrived work, 9 images on paper—6 prints and 3 drawings—were included in this presentation of 15 recent acquisitions. The works displayed suggest some new directions and strategic visions for the May Collection.

The May Collection: Twenty Works for Twenty Years

24 September 2015 – 20 May 2017
Curator: Alana Cordy-Collins, University of San Diego

In 1995, USD accepted a unique anthropological and fine art collection of more than 1500 objects from a local couple, Dorothy and Robert May. In the twenty years since the May Collection came to campus, the resource has also grown steadily—the total size of the collection, thanks to other gifts and purchases directed by Professor Alana Cordy-Collins, now stands at more than 2000 works. In recognition of two decades of collection-inspired exhibitions and courses, the University Galleries proudly mounted this mini-survey of the May Collection. Twenty representative works were selected by Professor Cordy-Collins. Taken as a whole, this project documented the May Collection’s growth and suggested future avenues for research.

Horses in American Indian Culture

2 October 2014 – 20 May 2015
Curators: Professor Susan Enowitz and students in her Spring 2014 Museology course, University of San Diego

This student-produced exhibit traced the significance of the close bond that developed between Indians of the Southwest and the horse. Horses in American Indian Culture included objects that demonstrate the horse’s profound role in warfare, spirituality, and current place in contemporary American Indian Art. Objects on display included a life-size painted sculpture of a horse by renowned local artist Robert Freeman, as well artifacts and traditional jewelry.

A Textile Art Without Machinery: Basketry from the May Collection

10 October 2013 — 25 May 2014
Guest Curator: Ken Hedges

Basketry is one of the most widespread and ancient of mankind’s crafts and a universally practiced art form. This exhibit looked at the techniques, styles, and traditions in use to create these works of art.

Old Chocolate and Other Surprises: Learning from the May Collection

13 September 2012— 17 May 2013
Curators: Alana Cordy-Collins and Tim Gross, University of San Diego

This exhibition was created in celebration of students’ discoveries utilizing May Collection objects in their research. Using the instrumental chemistry labs on campus, students analyzed residues extracted from a sample of 24 mugs and vessels from the May Collection, and found evidence of theobromine, a compound associated with cacao (chocolate). Their research extended the known geographic and temporal range of cacao use in the American Southwest, and helped to explain the mugs' functions within Native American society. 

Silver and Stones, American Indian Jewelry

14 September 2011 — 31 May 2012

Pimans: A Bountiful Life in a Harsh Environment

1 June 2010 — 25 March 2011

Katsina: Commodified and Appropriated Images of Hopi Supernaturals

14 May 2009 — 16 April 2010

Mugs of the Mesas

February 2008 – February 2009

Weaving the Word

May 2006 – October 2007

Indian Cowboys: Images from the May Collection

August 2004

San Diego Public Library Fetish Exhibit

March – May 2004

Sylvia Mejia: Artist in Residence

November 2003

Robert Freeman: Artist in Residence

April 2003

Raven’s World: Animals of the Northwest Coast

15 April 2002 – 13 February 2003

Barona Cultural Center & Museum

January – October 2002

Robert Hewson: Artist in Residence

February 2002

Enduring Traditions: Southwest Cultural Expressions

1999-2000

Masterpieces from the May Collection

1996-1997