A new College of the Redwoods exhibit is a chance for visitors to view some of a historic collection the college purchased nearly 40 years ago.
This multi-year project led by CR Art Professor Cindy Hooper has as its goal to not only exhibit but honor and better understand history. According to information received from CR, "the Alice Spinas/Redwoods Collection of Native American Basketry is comprised of 212 objects of Native American basketry, regalia, and utilitarian objects from the Yurok, Karuk, Hupa, and Wiyot tribes of Northwestern California. College of the Redwoods purchased this collection in 1978 from local educator Alice Spinas in order to promote coursework and research in Native American culture, and the collection remains an important resource for our students and community to study the art, history, and culture of the region’s indigenous people."
Artwaves speaks with CR Art Professor Cindy Hooper and Hupa artist and Tribal Advisor Brittany Britton. Hooper began this project nearly three years ago. The goal is to clean, preserve and display these historic items again for the CR community and the public.
And Britton has put in many months of work on this alongside Hooper. Many of these baskets are now available for public viewing and scholarly study on the second floor of CR's Student Services/Administration Building.