Memories of Growing Up in Arkansas
Just how different was life in Arkansas 50—or 100—years ago? The exhibit is developed from years of oral histories compiled by special guest curator Margaret Jones Bolsterli. Through this exhibit, Bolsterli conveys the importance of passing family histories from one generation to another. The exhibit is comprised of five themes: community, family, work, school, and leisure. Bolsterli said that she “envisions this exhibit as a collective memory of growing up in Arkansas told by the people who did it.” Each theme of Memories of Growing Up in Arkansas is encapsulated in its own vignette, detailing a special sense of time and place. For example, the “family” theme will take the form of a 1950s living room with the oral histories recounted through a cleverly-incorporated contemporary video screen. Visitors experience these time capsules and reflect on the past in Arkansas. Eidson designed, fabricated and installed each of the five elements housing the video displays; including toy boxes, a chalk board, a pulpit, packing crates and an old 1950’s black and white television.
Click on image below to view an excerpt from the exhibit.
