MNA is celebrating International Museum Day and its reaccreditation by the American Alliance of Museums with FREE admission today. Everyone is invited to enjoy the Museum exhibits, which tell the story of MNA’s work of ongoing research and efforts to illuminate the scientific, cultural, and artistic treasures of the Colorado Plateau. The day is also a celebration of Flagstaff’s ARTx festival, and the Museum’s grounds will feature ekphrastic poetry written by Flagstaff locals paired with art from the Museum’s collection.

Schedule of Events:

All Day: Self-guided walk through the ARTx Ekphrastic Poetry Installation, located outside just past the Museum entrance.

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Babbitt Gallery

MNA’s Chair of Anthropology Kelley Hays-Gilpin will offer interpretation of the pottery and jewelry in the gallery, as well as offer a hands-on pot sherd activity. 

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Director’s Conference Room

Poet Jodie Hollander will lead an ekphrastic poetry workshop.

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Courtyard

Live music performed by the Mountain Time Ramblers.

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Courtyard

MNA Botany Collections Manager will lead an activity where participants will choose a beautiful plant to identify and create their own herbarium sheet.

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. At the Arts & Craft table adjacent to the Native Peoples of the Colorado Plateau Gallery

Mapping the Colorado Plateau activity (all ages).

1:30 p.m. Courtyard

Poetry reading featuring the poets from the ARTx ekphrastic poetry installation.

2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Patio

Keynote ARTx talk by Erick Gonzalez: The Physicist and the Shaman: Perspectives on the Speaking Earth — a lecture, meditation, and film.