Musings • May 2024

Two New Exhibits Opening May 25

Against the Grain

Montague/Urschel Gallery

Against the Grain bring together objects in the collection made from wood and places them alongside the fine art of local woodworkers past and present. This featured exhibit will explore the wide-ranging dimensions of working with wood and survey the themes that emerge as artists and craftspeople grapple with its possibilities.

The Drama of the Dunes

Robert Cain Gallery

The Indiana Dunes have long invited artists to express their passion for the natural world. This region’s complex identity—where nature, industry, culture intermingle—has been a rich source of meaning for many artists experiencing these challenging tensions. Developed in conjunction with our 25-minute video slideshow “At the Intersection of Art and History,” this exhibit presents a selection of works by regional artists inspired by the Dunes.

WHAT TO DO

Living History: Tavern Games at Hebron’s Stagecoach Inn

Saturday, May 11, 10a-2p

Stagecoach Inn, 127 North Main Street, Hebron, IN, 46341

Extended Evening Hours

Thursdays, Open 11a-6p

May 30 through August 29

PoCo Muse, 20 Indiana Avenue

V.I.P. Exhibit Reception: Against the Grain & The Drama of the Dunes

Thurday, May 30, 4-6p

PoCo Muse

Complimentary Guided Museum Tour

Saturdays at 2p

PoCo Muse

No RSVP Required

Family Activity Sundays

Sundays from 11a-4p

PoCo Muse

New Activities Each Week!

WHAT TO SEE

The Path That Ventures Within: Inspirations Found Along Indiana Dunes Trails

Closes May 12

The imaginative color photographs of Herb Barghusen (1933-2015) depict the landscape of the Indiana dunes and are paired with short poems by the poet Robert Longoni (1936-2022) who shared a similar fascination with the area.

Montague/Urschel Gallery

The Great Conflagration: Academy of Music Block Fire

Closes May 12

In February 1926, Valparaiso’s Academy of Music Block at the southwest corner of Lincolnway and Washington Street was destroyed by fire. This small exhibit documents that fateful fire and its aftermath through original photographs.

Robert Cain Gallery

Against the Grain

Opens May 25

Against the Grain bring together objects in the collection made from wood. The exhibit explores the wide-ranging dimensions of working with the material and surveys the themes that emerge as artists and craftspeople grapple with its possibilities.

Montague/Urschel Gallery

The Drama of the Dunes

Opens May 25

The Indiana Dunes have long invited artists to express their passion for the natural world. This exhibit presents of selection of works by regional artists inspired by the Dunes.

Robert Cain Gallery

Connections: Permanent Collection

Take a closer look. Gathered throughout the PoCo Muse are pairs of objects that speak to each other in surprising ways. The objects may appear different at first glance, but after closer consideration, they may reveal important relationships.

Eunice Slagle Gallery

Lowenstine WWII Roll of Honor

The Lowenstine WWII Roll of Honor was displayed on the courthouse square from 1943 until 1973 in commemoration of the Valparaiso citizens who contributed to the war effort during World War II. It was installed in the PoCo Muse in December 2022.

MORE TO EXPLORE

Muse News: April through June 2024

Stay up-to-date with all that’s happening at the PoCo Muse by checking out our most recent newsletter, Muse News.

PoCo Muse Magazine: Issue No. 7

The digital version PoCo Muse Magazine is free to read for everyone. This issue highlights the stories of three Porter County heroes and pioneers.

Looking Back: May 1924

Each day on social media, the PoCo Muse looks back by featuring century-old historical excerpts selected from the Evening Messenger and Valparaiso Daily Vidette newspapers.

At the Intersection of Art & History

The 25-minute video slideshow called "At the Intersection of Art & History" presents highlights from our permanent art collection and spotlights a few common themes found in the artworks.

“The Tradesman (detail),” by John J. Habela, relief carving in oak, 1991; Hebron’s Stagecoach Inn, circa 1970s; school desk from the late nineteenth-century, Albert Photographic, 2024; a firefighter PoCo Mouse, created by Ashley Vernon in 2024; “Untitled,” 2012, Herb Barghusen (1933-2015); Academy of Music Block Fire, 1926; “Duck,” Kenneth Lowenstine (1929-1996), basswood and driftwood, circa late 1980s; “Untitled,” Frank V. Dudley (1868-1957), oil on canvas, circa 1930s; Taxidermy preserved dog, “Daisy,” circa early 1930s; Installation view of Lowenstine WWII Roll of Honor, 2023.