Mathers houses hidden treasures

It is almost hidden if you're not looking for it. Tucked behind a small sea of trees and a hill of concrete steps lies the William Hammond Mathers Museum of World Cultures. The building houses a charming collection of artifacts from cultures all over the world and is a great place to explore history and escape Bloomington without ever leaving.\nIU students, particularly those studying anthropology, history, folklore, art history or apparel merchandising, also can utilize the museum resourcefully. Work-study, research and volunteer opportunities are regularly available to students, as well as museum studies and practicum classes for students interested in careers involved with museums. \n"I took a class in the Mathers Museum last semester and I had never even heard of it," junior Lauren Abens said. "It was interesting to learn in an environment surrounded by all different kinds of cultures and history." \nThe Mathers Museum hosts many different scheduled activities throughout the year, including group tours, special children's activities and constantly changing exhibits. \nA compilation of black-and-white photographs, entitled, "A View of Bukhara," occupies the stark white wall as you enter the building. The pictures provide a visual tour of the daily life in this ancient city of Uzbekistan. \nThe central room on the main level illustrates the evolution of lifestyles in the Amazon estuary, specifically the community of Caboclos. Large, colorful maps complement bright green walls, and glass cubicles depict daily activities throughout the Amazon. Originally constructed wooden kayaks and fish nets show the popularity of fishing and shrimping, and a sample log cabin creates a typical bedroom and a statue of the activity of manioc, or gardening. The exhibit is known as "Forest Farmers of the Amazon Estuary." This exhibit is only temporary; the artifacts will be on display for another few years, then they will be stored to make way for other exhibits. However, the items in the exhibit will remain part of the permanent collections of the museum and will be available for research purposes.\nEdwardo Brondizio, a professor of anthropology, and his wife, Andrea Siqueira, a post-doctorate researcher, were the people who collected the artifacts for the exhibit, said Judy Kirk, assistant director of the Mathers Museum. \n"They collected the artifacts on an expedition in the summer of 2002, and they were instrumental in putting together the exhibit," she said.\nThe Virgil T. DeVault gallery, also located on the main level of the museum, presently focuses on cultures of the Pacific, particularly the Solomon Islands. Masks, sculptures, vases and other genuine pieces from this region occupy the slightly smaller exhibit room. \nThe lower level of the museum is not readily open to the public and generally requires an escort to provide explanations of a vast variety of even more artifacts. \n"The downstairs is filled with original baskets, African spears, dolls from Russia, China, Germany and Denmark -- I could keep listing forever," said Brooke Wilber, a practicum student in the anthropology department and employee of the museum. "We even have a collection of early Hoosier findings. You wouldn't believe the radios, pottery, wagon wheels and even historical Indiana University memorabilia."\nThe Museum Store sits directly off the main entrance and holds a cluttered assortment of authentic African masks, Turkish cards, writing pens from Chile, animals made of banana fibers and Native American jewelry. As an added bonus, all of the store's merchandise is 25 percent off for the entire month of June. \nThe Mathers Museum is located at 416 N. Indiana Ave. and is open year-round from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, visit the Mathers Museum Web site at www.indiana.edu/~mathers/.