Grandmother Power: A Global Phenomenon On Display In Grand Rapids - John Seville

With a 1928 Spillman Carousel spinning right over the Grand River, a 76-foot fin whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling, and dozens of exhibit rooms to explore, the Grand Rapids Public Museum is an ideal place to spend a chilly winter day—or any other day! A short walk from the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, the beloved Blue Bridge, and the city’s beautiful river walk, the Public Museum is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

The museum hosts several permanent exhibits, but also works in collaboration to design traveling exhibits. The most recent exhibit designed for travel is the Grandmother Power: A Global Phenomenon exhibit, based on Paola Gianturco’s book by the same name. Gianturco has long been involved with women’s issues, and has published 4 other books. Her most recent work features 120 grandmothers, spanning 15 countries and 5 continents. Through stunning photographs, Gianturco tells the stories of these grandmothers working against the odds to build better lives for their grandchildren.

The book has won numerous awards, and the exhibit was inspired by the interviews and photographs captured by Gianturco. The exhibit displays larger-than-life photographs printed on linen panels and suspended between tall columns. It also includes specially designed graphic-printed rocking chairs nestled into a reading nook, where guests are invited to read more Grandmother Power stories. Like NPR’s Story Corp project, there is an interactive station, allowing guests to share their own grandmother stories. These stories will become part of the traveling exhibit and later be archived at the Public Museum.

The exhibit features the stories of grandmothers from 8 countries: India, Argentina, Senegal, Philippines, South Africa, Swaziland, Canada, and Thailand. It also tells the stories of Indigenous Grandmothers from various places. Paola Gianturco narrates each story via a guided cell phone tour.

In conjunction with the exhibit, the Public Museum has planned numerous themed events, including:
• Grandmother Power lunches,
• Guest lectures,
• Community service day—an opportunity for grandchildren to shadow grandmothers in their volunteer positions,
• Special lecture featuring CNN’s Jackson Kaguri, and,
• A multi-cultural festival providing space for grandmothers to share stories, music, recipes, and dances.

The museum store offers Grandmother Power souvenirs, such as aprons, t-shirts, hats, and other gifts. The exhibit is on display at the Public Museum from September 6, 2013 through February 2, 2014. Later in 2014, the Museum will travel the exhibit throughout the US, Canada, and Europe.

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