42.6 F
Oxford

University Museum Brings Culture, Heritage to Oxford

art
The David M. Robinson Memorial Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities is the University Museum’s most extensive collection to date. However, around only 130 pieces are on display in the Kate Skipworth portion of the museum while there are over 2,000 objects total in the collection itself. The museum is now pursuing the project of displaying most, if not all, of these antiquities.
Professor David Robinson came to the University of Mississippi in 1949, and during his time here, he augmented the collection that would become one of the greatest showings of antiquities in the country.
this, too, is artAfter his death in 1958, Robinson entrusted his Roman sculptures to the University of Mississippi. The remainder of his collection was divided among his widow Helen Tudor Robinson, Harvard University and John Hopkins University. During the years before her death in 1960, Mrs. Robinson generously donated several pieces of her portion of the collection to the University of Mississippi. Upon her death, the rest of her share of about 300 objects were purchased and given to the university by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Peddle Jr. of Oxford. The Greek and Roman collection is now called the David M. Robinson Memorial Collection in honor of its largest contributor.
Though the collection is named after Mr. Robinson, he was not the only contributor to the vast assemblage of Greek and Roman antiquities. In 1962, The University’s Department of Classics gifted the museum about 300 pieces purchased from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Medical Alumni and the University’s Friends of the Museum purchased a set of medical instruments and glass that were collected by Victor Murlo, who corresponded with Robinson. The reputation of the Greek and Roman artifacts in the museum have often prompted art enthusiasts to donate their own art to the collection.
Today in the Kate Skipworth Museum, you can find anything from children’s game pieces to medical instruments. The museum has collected over 800 ancient coins, painted vases, carved marble busts and a magnificent volute-krater in its 56 years with the collection. They have also collected several panathenaic vases, which are large ceramic vessels that contained the olive oil given as prizes in the Olympics.
Robinson Collection project manager, Melanie Munns said, “Some of the objects we have are one of five in the world. We have a really impressive collection that a lot of people don’t know about.”
The project of displaying these pieces includes transporting them to the 1939 museum building (now empty) and transforming the collection and its space into an interactive learning experience. Robert Saarnio, museum director, said, “If someone asked me for five words to describe what we’re doing, I would say ‘physical access and intellectual access.’” With the help of private donors and enough fundraising, the museum hopes to purchase new cases, cleaning and preservation equipment for the antiquities, and technology for the display of this vast collection.
Apart from the Robinson Memorial Collection, there are several other fascinating collections and exhibitions on display at the museum. Saarnio said, “I’m not sure that we’ve had three stronger or more interesting exhibitions at one time than we have right now.”
From self-taught, southern folk art to football helmets designed by world-famous fashion designers, the University Museum is home to all sorts of unique artwork. And they want you to see it all.
77_3_72-side-bThe University Museum hosts several events and activities that encourage students, families and the Oxford community to get involved and interested in what they have to offer. They are a stop on the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council Oxford Art Crawl and take turns (with The Powerhouse) hosting its Mini Masters program for two to five year olds. The museum hosts opening receptions, artist lectures, and brown bag lectures for each of their newly opening exhibits.
They have several programs and activities to introduce families and children to the art community. The museum hosts a program called ArtZone every Tuesday and Wednesday after school. They often coordinate field trips and even host tours for classes at the UM campus. The education curator, Emily Dean, organizes family activity days about 3 times per semester that are often free. The next one, Santa’s Work/Shop will be on Saturday, December 6. In this workshop, families will create seasonal crafts and eat holiday snacks.
The University Museum celebrates its members with the annual membership party. It is a thank you reception for current members, an opportunity to gain new members and a chance to celebrate the current exhibits. Communications coordinator Rebecca Phillips said, “We’re always trying to grow our membership. This is our 75th anniversary year. So we’ve made it a goal to reach a higher amount. We’ve set our goal at 750 members. So hopefully we’ll get there.”
The public is invited to attend all exhibition openings and Brown Bag lecture series. This year, all special exhibitions are free to the public as well. The University Museum encourages you to visit and engage with the unique works of art that they have obtained.
“If you identify as a Greek-American and you live in the southeast — not just Mississippi — we want you to know about this collection, and we want you to feel that our museum is celebrating your heritage,” Saarnio said.
Rachel Vanderford is a HottyToddy.com reporter and can be reached at rmvander@go.olemiss.edu.

Most Popular

Recent Comments

scamasdscamith on News Watch Ole Miss
Frances Phillips on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Grace Hudditon on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Millie Johnston on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Binary options + Bitcoin = $ 1643 per week: https://8000-usd-per-day.blogspot.com.tr?b=46 on Beta Upsilon Chi: A Christian Brotherhood
Jay Mitchell on Reflections: The Square
Terry Wilcox SFCV USA RET on Oxford's Five Guys Announces Opening Date
Stephanie on Throwback Summer
organized religion is mans downfall on VP of Palmer Home Devotes Life to Finding Homes for Children
Paige Williams on Boyer: Best 10 Books of 2018
Keith mansel on Cleveland On Medgar Evans
Debbie Nader McManus on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: The Last of His Kind
Richard Burns on A William Faulkner Sighting
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Ruby Begonia on Family Catching Rebel Fever
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
jeff the busy eater on Cooking With Kimme: Baked Brie
Travis Yarborough on Reflections: The Square
BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH on Oxford is About to Receive a Sweet Treat
baby travel systems australia on Heaton: 8 Southern Ways to Heckle in SEC Baseball
Rajka Radenkovich on Eating Oxford: Restaurant Watch
Richard Burns on Reflections: The Square
Guillermo Perez Arguello on Mississippi Quote Of The Day
A Friend with a Heavy Heart on Remembering Dr. Stacy Davidson
Harold M. "Hal" Frost, Ph.D. on UM Physical Acoustics Research Center Turns 30
Educated Citizen on Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
Debbie Crenshaw on Trump’s Tough Road Ahead
Treadway Strickland on Wicker Looks Ahead to New Congress
Tony Ryals on parking
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
C. Scott Fischer on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Sylvia Williams on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Will Patterson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Rick Henderson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
George L Price on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
on
Morgan Shands on Cleveland: On Ed Reed
Richard McGraw on Cleveland: On Cissye Gallagher
Branan Southerland on Gameday RV Parking at HottyToddy.com
Tom and Randa Baddley on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
26 years and continuously learning on Ole Miss Puts History In Context With Plaque
a Paterson on Beyond Barton v. Barnett
Phil Higginbotham on ‘Unpublished’ by Shane Brown
Bettina Willie@www.yahoo.com.102Martinez St.Batesville,Ms.38606 on Bomb Threat: South Panola High School Evacuated This Morning
Anita M Fellenz, (Emilly Hoffman's CA grandmother on Ole Miss Spirit Groups Rank High in National Finals
Marilyn Moore Hughes on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
Jaqundacotten@gmail williams on HottyToddy Hometown: Hollandale, Mississippi
Finney moore on Can Ole Miss Grow Too Big?
diane faulkner cawlley on Oxford’s Olden Days: Miss Annie’s Yard
Phil Higginbotham on ‘November 24’ by Shane Brown
Maralyn Bullion on Neely-Dorsey: Hog Killing Time
Beth Carr on A Letter To Mom
Becky on A Letter To Mom
Marilyn Tinnnin on A Letter To Mom
Roger ulmer on UM Takes Down State Flag
Chris Pool on UM Takes Down State Flag
TampaRebel on UM Takes Down State Flag
david smith on UM Takes Down State Flag
Boyd Harris on UM Takes Down State Flag
Jim (Herc @ UM) on Cleveland: Fall Vacations
Robert Hollingsworth on Rebels on the Road: Memphis Eateries
David McCullough on Shepard Leaves Ole Miss Football
Gayle G. Henry on Meet Your 2015 Miss Ole Miss
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Neely-Dorsey: Elvis Presley’s Big Homecoming
Jennifer Mooneyham on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Wes McIngvale on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
BARRY MCCAMMON on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
Laughing out Loud on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Dr.Bill Priester on Cleveland: On Bob Priester
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
paulette holmes langbecker on Cofield on Oxford – Rising Ole Miss Rookie
Ruth Shipp Yarbrough on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Karllen Smith on ‘Rilee’ by Shane Brown
Jean Baker Pinion on ‘The Cool Pad’ by Shane Brown
Janet Hollingsworth (Cavanaugh) on John Cofield on Oxford: A Beacon
Proud Mississippi Voter on Gunn Calls for Change in Mississippi Flag
Deloris Brown-Thompson on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Sue Ellen Parker Stubbs on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Karen fowler on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Don't Go to Law School on Four Legal Rebels Rising in the Real World
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
Joanne and Mark Wilkinson on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Mary Ellen (Dring) Gamble on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Cyndy Carroll on Filming it Up in Mississippi
Dottie Dewberry on Top 10 Secret Southern Sayings
Brother Everett Childers on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Mark McElreath on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Bill Wilkes, UM '57, '58, '63 on A Letter from Chancellor Dan Jones
Sandra Caffey Neal on Mississippi Has Proud Irish Heritage
Teresa Enyeart, and Terry Enyeat on Death of Ole Miss Grad, U.S. Vet Stuns Rebel Nation
P. D. Fyke on Wells: Steelhead Run
Johnny Neumann on Freeze Staying with Rebels
Maralyn Bullion on On Cooking Southern: Chess Pie
Kaye Bryant on Henry: E. for Congress
charles Eichorn on Hotty Tamales, Gosh Almighty
Jack of All Trades on Roll Over Bear Bryant
w nadler on Roll Over Bear Bryant
Stacey Berryhill on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
John Appleton on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Charlotte Lamb on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Two True Mississippi Icons
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Jeanette Berryhill Wells on HottyToddy Hometown: Senatobia, Mississippi
Tire of the same ole news on 3 "Must Eat" Breakfast Spots in Oxford
gonna be a rebelution on Walking Rebel Fans Back Off the Ledge
Nora Jaccaud on Rickshaws in Oxford
Martha Marshall on Educating the Delta — Or Not
Nita McVeigh on 'I'm So Oxford' Goes Viral
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on How a Visit to the Magnolia State Can Inspire You
Charlie Fowler Jr. on Prawns? In the Mississippi Delta?
Martha Marshall on A Salute to 37 Years of Sparky
Sylvia Hartness Williams on Oxford Approves Diversity Resolution
Jerry Greenfield on Wine Tip: Problem Corks
Cheryl Obrentz on I Won the Lottery! Now What?
Bnogas on Food for the Soul
Barbeque Memphis on History of Tennessee Barbecue
Josephine Bass on The Delta and the Civil War
Nicolas Morrison on The Walking Man
Pete Williams on Blog: MPACT’s Future
Laurie Triplette on On Cooking Southern: Fall Veggies
Harvey Faust on The Kream Kup of the Krop
StarReb on The Hoka
Scott Whodatty Keetereaux Keet on Hip Hop — Yo or No, What’s Your Call
Johnathan Doeman on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
Andy McWilliams on The Warden & The Chief
Kathryn McElroy on Think Like A Writer
Claire Duff Sullivan on Alert Dogs Give Diabetics Peace of Mind
Jesse Yancy on The Hoka
Jennifer Thompson Walker on Ole Miss, Gameday From The Eyes of a Freshman
HottyToddy.com