Contemporary Art Exhibit

This exhibit showcases contemporary art from local adult and student artists.

Four Decades of Art Work

This exhibit showcases selected artwork from Art Instructor Reyne Athanas collection of LEFT BEHIND PIECES in art classes Reyne has taught in Bethel from 1973-2011.  The exhibit features student artwork including drawings, paintings, oil pastels, paper collages, ceramics, linoleum blocks, wood blocks and silk screen prints.  Students age range from kindergarten to college.

Cikiutet Qelkatat - Gifts of Treasured Things Exhibit

The Yupiit Piciryarait Museum will open the Cikiutet Qelkatat - Gifts of Treasured Things Exhibit from September 15, 2010 to January 15, 2011.  This exhibit will showcase selected objects from 14 different collections recently donated to the museum.  Objects from the Bethel Community Services-Qaspeq, Charles, Charlie-Smith, Clement, Fox, Goldberg, Harberg, Nagel, Overton, Sallison, Seney, Smalley, Swansons, and Wallace Collections will be on display.  The donors are from all across the United States and Alaska.

Some of these donations include objects such as baskets, photographs, dolls, clothing and other miscellaneous items. For instance, the Overton donation is an interesting pin cushion made from moose teeth and in the Nagel Collection there are 15 pieces of clothing.  In one of the galleries, there will be continual historical footage from the Bethel area courtesy of KYUK.

Qaspeq Exhibit

The Qaspeq Exhibit showcases men’s and womens’ qaspaqs from the villages in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta.  The exhibit opened during the 2010 Camai Festival on March 26, 2010 and will run through July 31, 2010.  After the exhibit, the Qaspeqs will be added to the museum’s permanent collection.  The exhibit was made possible by a mini grant from the Bethel Community Services Foundation and a donation from Swanson’s.

“Toys, Games and Dolls” Exhibit

The Yupiit Piciryarait Museum has opened a new exhibit for the holiday season.  “Toys, Games and Dolls” showcases some of the museum’s toys, games and dolls collection with examples of story knives, stories, symbols and a demonstration on DVD and a hands on-station.  The exhibit runs from November 21, 2009 to January 8, 2010.  The museum hours are from 12 noon to 4:00 pm Tuesday to Saturday.  For any questions, please call 543-1819.

Yaaruin-"Story Knife” Exhibit

The Yaaruin “Story Knife” Exhibit is an exhibit that showcases the museum’s story knife collection with examples of story knives, stories, symbols, and demonstration on DVD, and a hands-on station.  The exhibit was funded by a grant from the US Department of Education, Alaska Native Education Program and The Paul G. Allen Foundation.  The exhibit dates are from June 1, 2009 to September 4, 2009.  Museum hours are from 12 Noon to 4:00 pm Tuesday to Saturday.  The public is invited to the opening reception of the exhibit at the museum on June 1, 2009 (Monday) from 12 Noon to 4:00 pm.

Swanson’s Collection

The Association of Village Council Presidents Yupiit Piciryarait Museum presents the Swanson’s Collection Exhibit opening October 6, 2008.  The Marie O. Swanson Estate donated to the museum a wonderful collection of dolls, baskets, clothing, books, ivory, jewelry and paintings.  The objects were collected by the Swanson’s family over 20 years ago while operating the local Swanson’s Store in Bethel.  The collection was received by the museum in July, 2007.

Harberg Exhibit

The Reverend Thorlief Harberg and wife Elsie Johnson Harberg were in Kwigillingok and Bethel from 1937 to 1941.  The Reverend was a Moravian Missionary.  The collection includes ivory, clothing, photographs, and miniature objects collected while they were in Alaska.

The collection includes nearly 500 photos, ethnographic materials, and objects. Their children, Kristen Van Orden and Charles Harberg, donated the collection to the museum in memory of their parents.

This exhibit will be at the museum from August 4 to September 19, 2008.


View the Harberg Exhibit poster