MiraCosta College Kruglak Gallery Exhibition—A Tale Of Two Cultures

By Debbie L. Sklar, Times of San Diego

April 21, 2022

Sharing unique stories in this exhibition, objects from two cultures, from vastly different parts of the world, are placed side by side to accentuate their similar and differing cultural values. The Pennsylvania Dutch and African artisanal objects reflect narratives of cultures and traditions that rely on natural resources and adaptability to ensure humanity’s advancement.

Pieces from both collections represent similar values and beliefs through their motifs. However, the African pieces are approximately 100 years old, while the Pennsylvania Dutch pieces were created at least within the last fifty years.

Professor Sheryl Miller and her daughter Professor Lynne Miller, both anthropology professors, have accumulated a collection of cultural pieces from the Pennsylvania Dutch and African peoples. The Pennsylvania Dutch objects were collected personally by Professor Sheryl Miller during her travels to the Pennsylvania Dutch community. Late friends of Professor Sheryl Miller ethically purchased pieces during a missionary trip in Africa.

MiraCosta’s curatorial collective has selected objects from both collections to articulate both cultures’ values respectfully. The Curatorial Collective consists of Christine Alford, Piper Bailey, Sara Funk, Sadry Hedayat, Mariah Jarrah, Martina Luparia, Karina Matos, Campbell Reyes, and Allie Wright.

Objects from the African collection showcase how the indigenous cultures relied on natural resources and materials sourced from animals. Objects include beaded jewelry, a tortoiseshell hair comb, and cuff bracelets that showcase these cultures’ motifs and demonstrate their craftsmanship. These handcrafted objects were created for purchase by tourists to aid their cultures’ transition into a cash economy.

The Pennsylvanian Dutch Collection objects aim to honor the work of Amish and Mennonite peoples. The collection includes a hetchel for combing flax into linen, a series of unique cooking tools, and an assortment of hand-crafted cookie cutters. The cultural rejection of modern technology is richly present in these objects and should be examined with such lenses.

The practical uses of both collections’ pieces provide an insight into the peoples’ traditions and reflect their values of functionality and traditions. When placed side by side, the materials and the practices used in both cultures start a conversation about humanity’s ability to weave motifs of family, love, and survival into everyday objects.

The exhibit is supported in part by the Hatoff Tapestries Grant funded by Julie and Dave Hatoff, and awarded by the MiraCosta College Foundation.

A Tale of Two Cultures exhibit may be viewed Wednesday, May 4 through Tuesday, May 17, 2022. The Kruglak Gallery is located on the MiraCosta College Oceanside Campus, 1 Barnard Drive, on the lower level of the Student Center, Building 3400. Gallery hours are Monday and Tuesday, from 2:30-7:30 p.m., and Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. A closing reception will be held on Tuesday, May 17 from 2-3:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

The Kruglak Gallery asks that attendees follow the updated mask requirement, which can be found on the COVID 19 updates page of the MiraCosta website. For more information, please contact the Kruglak Gallery at 760.795.665

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