Exhibits

For all participants–rich or poor, young or old–Carnival provides the opportunity to play by leaving the everyday world, becoming someone else, and behaving in unusual ways. Through artifacts, interactive opportunities, and dazzling photographs, this exhibition provides information on the origins and evolution of this celebration, as well as windows into eight communities in Europe and the Americas where Carnival is a high point of the yearly cycle.

This exhibition has been made possible through NEH on the Road, a special initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities. It is brought to you by Mid-America Arts Alliance. ¡Carnaval! was organized by the Museum of International Folk Art.

In addition to changing focus exhibits, the Museum's Feature Galleries offer artifacts, stories, and information about the Ancient Mediterranean, Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, and the Americas.

The Spurlock Museum kicks up its heels in a celebration of shoes! From ancient Egyptian sandals to modern designer stilettos, footwear can reflect a person's status, occupation, gender, physical abilities, belief systems, and geographic location. Listen to multicultural folktales about shoes and try your own fancy shoelace tying while you explore a world of shoes.