Museum of Northern Arizona — May brings the museum outdoors

Message from Mary –
May brings new leaves to plants, longer days, and an awakening animal kingdom. This month at MNA our online offerings focus on the natural world. Join us for presentations on garden plants and soil; learn more about dragonflies, owls and reptiles; become a dinosaur detective with Dinosaur Dave; and channel your inner artist by painting the landscape. May is also the month we celebrate Mother’s Day. MNA’s gift shop is open for online business with a wonderful range of gifts. Finally, these are challenging times for all of us and there are many needs in our community. If you are able, I would encourage you to support those causes closest to you on #GivingTuesday, including MNA. Your support helps us to create new programs, educate our communities, and share the joy and wonder of the Colorado Plateau. Thank you for being a part of MNA.
Mary Kershaw
Executive Director & CEO
Museum of Northern Arizona
#GivingTuesdayNow
Today people all around the world are coming together to strengthen communities at the grassroots level. The Museum of Northern Arizona is participating in #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity in response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. You can help by not just by donating, but also by sharing on your social media what MNA means to you and encouraging your friends to follow MNA on Facebook or Instagram.
Accessing MNA on Facebook
Did you know that you can access the MNA Facebook pages without being on Facebook? Because the MNA Facebook is a public page, it is accessible to anyone. This means you can watch any of our videos, live or recorded, and see our posts of collections images, archival photos and more, even if you don’t have a Facebook page or profile. You just won’t be able to add comments or “like” our posts.
Ed Kabotie- Wrapping up the Artist Residency
May 13 at 2:30 pm via Facebook Live
Artist, musician and edu-tainer Ed Kabotie is ending his multi-year residency at MNA this month. Join him on the MNA Facebook page as he provides a summary of the countless songs, artworks, events and presentations he was able to create during his seven years at the museum.
Learn about plants
Videos post to Facebook on Tuesdays
Each week MNA experts share knowledge about native plants and gardening in Flagstaff’s climate. Past videos can be found on the MNA Facebook page.
May 5 at 11 am Building healthy soil
May 12 at 12 pm Native plant walk with Jan Busco
May 19 st 12 pm Native plants for your garden
Native plant sale
Order by May 24, pickup May 30, 7 am-11 am
Use native plants to create a lovely and easy-care landscaping that helps pollinators. This sale of native plants raised at the NAU Greenhouse supports the Michael Moore Native Medicinal Plant Garden at MNA. View the plant list, then request an order form via email.
STEAM Second Saturday: Dragonflies and Damselflies
Facebook Live stream on May 9, 2:00 pm
Learn all about these beautiful insects from MNA Ecologist and Curator of Biology, Dr. Larry Stevens, who will be streaming live from his laboratory on theMNA Facebook page. Here are some dragonflyactivities to download and do at home.
Junior Jedi
In recognition of May The Force Be With You Day, we created some activities for would-be Jedi to try at home. Learn to use an invisible force to levitate objects, use light and dark in balance with shadow puppets, invent an instrument for the Cantina band, and create a scene on another planet. Download the activities from musnaz.org
Junior Paleontologist
Monday-Friday
Dinosaur Dave (aka Dr. Dave Gillette) is posting paleontology activities for kids. These can be found daily on the MNA Facebook page, where Dinosaur Dave will also answer questions, or by downloading the printable activities from musnaz.org. Here are the journal pages from the first, second, third, and fourth week. Kids who participate will become Junior Paleonologists and be invited to a Paleontology Pizza Party.
Family Fridays: Reptiles & Owls
Facebook Live stream on Fridays at 2:30 pm
Follow along on Facebook as MNA educator Mari Soliday presents a short program for kids each Friday. The materials needed for each project are posted at musnaz.org the Wednesday before. Past programs can be found on the MNA Facebook page under videos.
May 8 – Reptiles
May 15 – Owls
Online storytime
MNA director Mary Kershaw, and her cat, are among the latest museum folk to read aloud children’s books from the Museum Bookstore. Watch her read Don’t Call me Pig. and other staff and family read Big Horns Don’t Honk, The Butterfly Dance, Goat in the Rug, and more.
Summer Discovery Camps
June 8-July 31
Check out the Discovery summer camp schedulesand reserve a spot now, because spaces will be limited this summer. All the summer camps are held as small groups, with plenty of outdoor space. Many aspects of the camps are being adjusted in recognition of the need for social distancing. We will confirm the 2020 summer camp season after May 11.
Liberating Landscape
Through summer
Empowered by the landscape of the American Southwest, women took the lead in developing the arts of the region from 1900 to 1940. You can now view some of the pottery, photographs, paintings, and etchings from this exhibition of six early women artists while listening to poems responding to the art or read the chapbook.
Extended through August 2
Watch a new video featuring art and commentary from five of the contemporary Native artists featured in this exhibition discussing reasons reasons Star Wars resonates with them. It’s part of playlist of videos including a 360 tour with curator Tony Thibodeau and the making of HOPI-R2.
Petrified Forest Day Trip
October 31, 2020 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM.
Fans of fossils and Arizona’s colorful landscape will enjoy this trip to Petrified Forest National Park with geologist Dr. Kent Colbath. The day trip includes a short hike into a fossil field from the dawn of the “Age of Dinosaurs,” and a tour of the fossil preparation lab. Sign up by calling 928-774-5211 ext. 222 or Online.
May 19-22, 2021
Join musicians Chris Brashear and Peter McLaughlin for a musical river trip. During the day, float through the magnificent Goosenecks and hike in side canyons. Spend the evenings beneath the stars enjoying music by two premiere western songwriters while reflecting on the day’s journey. Sign up by calling 928-774-5211 ext. 222 or Online.
Heritage Festival artist applications
This year the Zuni, Hopi and Navajo festivals are being combined into a single Heritage Festival September 12 & 13. This weekend festival provides an opportunity to meet, demonstrate, and sell your art. Artists who sign up early will be featured on MNA’s Facebook page. Artists can use the applications currently online for the Zuni, Hopi, and Navajo festivals. Send questions and inquiries to ageorge@musnaz.org.
Welcome them home
This Longhair Katsina Plaque by Hopi-Tewa artist Ted Pavatea depicts a favorite katsina, who brings nourishing rain to help crops grow. Pavatea depicts the grace and movement in this small carving. This is one of many carvings and katsina dolls available at the Museum Giftshop. Even though the museum is closed, you can still order online and have them shipped to your door. Your purchases help the artists and the museum.
Mugs & more for Mom
Mother’s Day is this Sunday. One of these mugs by award-winning Navajo artist Beverly Blacksheep will look lovely when you bring mom breakfast in bed, or paired with her favorite warm beverage for many mornings to come. Each mug has an uplifting phrase on the other side. Blacksheep’s art is also featured on mirror compacts and business card holders. All items from the Museum Bookstore can be ordered online and shipped.
Select Museum of Northern Arizona to support MNA with every purchase when you buy through Amazonsmile.