June 2002 Collections Gallery to Open August 14, 2002

The Pueblo of Pojoaque’s Poeh Cultural Center and Museum officially opens the new Collections Gallery August 14, 2002!

The Pueblo of Pojoaque and the Poeh Cultural Center and Museum are excited to be able to serve the Pueblo and local communities by completing the Collections Gallery part of Phase Three.

The development and completion of the Collections Gallery has been dependent upon, and grateful for, funding from the Pueblo of Pojoaque, Pojoaque Pueblo Construction Service Corporation, the New Mexico State Legislature, the Bay Foundation, the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps, and the National Endowment for the Humanities (Challenge Grant).

The National Endowment for the Humanities supported the completion of the Collections Gallery. The grant of $109,217 allowed the Poeh Museum to complete the installation of a state-of-the-art security system, an FM200 Fire Suppression System, and an appropriate climate control system for object preservation.

The Collections Gallery incorporates object conservation along with room for 10 years of anticipated growth, while utilizing storage methods that will emulate the access of an exhibition as much as possible. The new Collections Gallery will be open to the Pueblo communities, the public, and to researchers.

The relocation of the Poeh Museum’s collections from a temporary storage area at the Poeh Center into the new Poeh Center facility is a unique opportunity to increase their security and safety, accommodate moderate growth, and ensure greater access for scholarly and community research and public education.

Phase Four will be the completion of the Rotating Exhibit Gallery, which will feature work by students and instructors in the Poeh Arts program. Phase Five will be the completion of an artist demonstration space and gift shop.

The Poeh Museum’s permanent exhibit “Nah Poeh Meng” (translated from Tewa to English – “The Continuous Path,”) will tell the story of Tewa people from their perspective. The exhibit content has been finalized and final plans are currently being completed.

The mission of the Pueblo of Pojoaque’s Poeh Center is to “support the future of Pueblo people by teaching the arts; by collecting great works of art; and by promoting public understanding of, and respect for, Pueblo history and culture.” Before the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, Pojoaque Pueblo was stripped of their heritage, culture and traditions through European contact. Most Pojoaque Tribal Members fled to neighboring Pueblo’s during the dissemination of their people, which began in 1540 in all Tewa Pueblo communities, Pojoaque Pueblo is revitalizing their traditions through efforts of the Poeh Center’s mission to teach their native language, traditional song and dance, and material culture.

The Grand Opening celebration is being held on August 14, 2002 from 5:00 to 7:00PM at the Pueblo of Pojoaque, Poeh Cultural Center and Museum – 78 Cities of Gold Road.