Newsflash! The Story of Journalism in Holland
"NEWSFLASH! The Story of Journalism in Holland" reflects on the history of local media outlets including the Holland Sentinel and WHTC. In addition, this exhibit explores the evolution of journalism and the important role it has played in developing the City of Holland.
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Black Eden: Idlewild Past, Present, and Future
"Black Eden: Idlewild Past, Present, and Future" Founded in 1912, Idlewild, Michigan emerged as a haven for African Americans seeking respite, leisure, and community drawing in middle-class professionals from throughout the Midwest for several decades. Collaborating with Chris CJ Kingdom Grier, a proud Idlewild local who knows the essence of this resort town, the Holland Museum will showcase Idlewild's history, from its vibrant eras of bustling tourism to its remarkable journey of revival and rejuvenation.
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Cabinets of Curiosities: Origins of the Modern Museum
"Cabinets of Curiosities: Origins of the Modern Museum" will display unique and possibly never before seen objects from the Museum's archives. The exhibit will also discuss the evolution of Museums from small personal collections to the grandeur that is the Modern Museum. This exhibition was curated and produced by the Holland Museum 2023 summer interns.
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Cultivating the Dutch Tradition in the 21st Century: Jane Jones’ Hyperrealist Floral Paintings
"Cultivating the Dutch Tradition in the 21st Century: Jane Jones’ Hyperrealist Floral Paintings" features 25 original oil paintings, produced from 2012 to 2021. The exhibition is circulated by David J. Wagner, LLC. The exhibition will also include label text translated into Spanish and a brochure with essays written by nature scholar Michael Tobias.
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Storied Objects: Folk Art from the Holland Museum Collection
"Storied Objects: Folk Art from the Holland Museum Collection" explores rarely seen folk art from the Holland Museum collection such as quilts, pottery, puppets, carvings, and basketweaving.
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In Service to Others: A History of Holland's Women Missionaries
"In Service to Others: A History of Holland's Women Missionaries" explores the varied roles of local women missionaries who sought to improve lives through expansion of education and healthcare to communities across the globe.
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Greetings from Holland, Michigan: Origins & Impact of the Local Post Office
"Greetings from Holland, Michigan: Origins & Impact of the Local Post Office" described the evolution of Holland’s postal service from its trying beginnings to the construction of its first federal building.
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Contemporary Portraits of Native Americans by James Cook
Contemporary Portraits of Native Americans by James Cook will share a glimpse into the faces of native people from across the United States. This collection of 25 color photographs will explore the varied lives of Native Americans in the modern-day through the lens of photographer James Cook. Stories of family, tradition, and resilience will resonate with visitors as they view photographs as vibrant as the people portrayed.
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United for Progress: The LAUP Story
Since its inception in 1964, LAUP (Latin Americans United for Progress) has been a driving force for change in the Holland community. By focusing on a wide range of topics including education, cultural activities, community involvement, and discrimination, LAUP has spent decades promoting a more equitable Holland for all. United for Progress: The Story of LAUP will explore the organizations’ history, how they’ve evolved, and how they continue to serve the Latinx and greater Holland community to this day.
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Mathias Alten: Beyond the Oil Paintings
2021 is the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mathias Alten, one of Michigan’s most recognized artists. The exhibit, "Mathais Alten: Beyond the Oil Paintings," displayed some of Alten’s unique pieces, including sketches and watercolors with a variety of subject matter. This exhibit was in collaboration with the GVSU Art Gallery.
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Election Reflection: Memorabilia from Holland, MI
Election Reflection: Memorabilia from Holland, MI explores the history of political memorabilia and the way it has shaped the campaign trail by taking a look at the types of objects people collect and how they fit into the political process. This exhibit features national and state election artifacts and images collected by members of the Holland community; campaign buttons, political ads, and even cigarettes.
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Heinz in Holland: A Story with Heart
The exhibit, "Heinz in Holland: A Story with Heart," highlights one of the oldest factories still-operating in the area. Founder, HJ Heinz’s motto was, "Heart power is stronger than horsepower." His legacy was putting people before profits. Heinz hired women early in their history to sort pickles and had POWs working at the plant during WWII. During WWI, the company offered life insurance for employees that fought abroad, and they have a history of hiring immigrants. The Holland Heinz plant was opened in 1897.
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THEM: Images of Separation
THEM is a traveling exhibit courtesy of the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia at Ferris State University that showcases items from popular culture used to stereotype groups of people. Negative imagery found on postcards, license plates, games, souvenirs, and costumes has promoted stereotyping against groups such as African-Americans, Asian- Americans, Hispanics, Jews, and poor whites, as well as those who are “other” in terms of body type or sexual orientation. Through six three-dimensional and 32 framed pieces, “THEM” tackles some of the most contentious, hot-button cultural issues: anti-Arab sentiment, Holocaust denial, “don’t ask, don’t tell” and immigration. The exhibition also includes items demeaning to African-Americans, but that is only a part of the exhibition’s larger picture.
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Mathias Alten in the Netherlands: Newly Acquired Works by the Dean of Michigan Painters
Anita M. Gilleo, one of five surviving grandchildren of Mathias Alten, donated nine Alten paintings that have not previously been exhibited to the public. Mathias Alten (1871–1938) was a German-American impressionist painter active in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is best known for his land- and seascapes, of which are the highlight of this new collection. In addition, the Museum will have four Alten paintings on loan from private collections, including one self-portrait from Ms. Gilleo and three from a private collection in the Netherlands.
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Michigan's Heritage Barns: An Artist's Persepctive
The beauty of Michigan’s barns is revealed through a photographer’s eyes in the exhibition, Michigan’s Heritage Barns: An Artist’s Perspective. Traditional barns are more than just evidence of our history. They are regional landmarks, evoking a unique sense of place. Built with time-tested designs, superior materials, and high standards of workmanship, these barns were made to last forever. The exhibition consists of 22 black and white barn photographs from artist Mary Keithan.
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Mars: Astronomy and Culture
Mars: Astronomy and Culture brings together photographs, drawings, movie posters, book covers, and video projections and connects the recent scientific images of Mars to the entire history of photography of the red planet. Crucially, it shows the impact of Mars on popular culture even before the 20th century.
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Atmosphere of Distinction
During the twentieth century, women throughout the country took great strides toward equality and began abandoning their traditional roles, as well as restrictive fashions, in search of greater opportunity and comfortable clothing. "Atmosphere of Distinction" displays how the emergence of the women's rights movement impacted West Michigan fashion trends and how it reflected women's role in society. You can visit this exhibit through September 1, 2018.
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