Arts & Galleries

Photo Gallery: The Making of Riverside Metropolitan Museum's 'Adornment'

Styles change. Remember the '80s? Throughout history, people have used a variety of adornments, such as clothing and accessories or piercings and tattoos to make a statement.

The Riverside Metropolitan Museum is delving into the history behind these statements in its current exhibit, "Adornment," on display through February 2011.

A Family Fun Day event sponsored by the Bead Attic will take place Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Children in attendance can make beaded jewelry and participate in face painting activities. Other events related to the exhibit will take place periodically throughout the year. Museum entrance and activities are free and open to the public.

"Adornment" will feature artifacts from the museum's permanent collection, including Native American headdresses, moccasins, hats and cradleboards; European and North American dresses, purses and wedding gowns; and Asian robes and ceremonial dresses.

"We're focusing on the historical aspect of adornment, including as an expression of right of passage or a way to express social status in tribes," said Ennette Morton, museum director. "Ninety-nine percent of the objects have never been displayed. They were collected from different donors throughout the years since the museum was founded."

Last month the museum hosted the "Share Your Body Art and its Story" event, which invited the public to get tattoos photographed and share the story behind them, to help create a wall of buttons, beads and jewels used as a backdrop for the exhibit, and to talk about how they adorn themselves in front of a film crew for a video on display in the exhibit.

Hundreds of volunteers showed up to participate in the photo shoot, filming and craft wall.

Lindsey Edwards had nine tattoos to share.

"I started getting them when I turned 18," said the 20-year-old Corona resident. "I have two peacock feathers, a cameo, several lockets. I really like antiques. The pocket watch tattoo is my grandpa's."

Larry Termohlen's tattoo covers his chest. The Corona resident had the work done to honor his parents after they passed away about four years ago.

Across his collarbones it reads, "In the Arms of Jesus," with two hands reaching up. Pictures of both parents are part of the intricate tattoo.

"I designed it," Termohlen said. "I miss them. They passed away eight days apart at Christmas time."

Art Institute, San Bernardino students in a marketing class from the Fashion/Retail/Management program participated in the evening's activities as well, working on the beaded wall, or sharing adornment stories on film, or showing a tattoo for the camera.

"One of the things we try to do is identify fashion opportunities in real life - anything they can jump on and get hands-on experience," said Phylis Clark, fashion retail management instructor. "Fashion is life, it's everywhere."

Reach Jennifer Dean at 951-368-9336, jdean@PE.com or http://blogs.inlandsocal.com/iguide.