Native American art collection from retired professor Ellins goes on display

A collection of native North American art compiled by retired Cal State San Bernardino psychology professor Stuart Ellins went on display March 1 at CSUSB's Anthropology Museum.

The museum is located on the third floor of College of Social and Behavioral Sciences building, room SB 306.

The exhibit includes about 100 art objects created by Native American artists in the Southwest during the 20th century. They include pottery sculptures, baskets, sand painting and drums. Some objects are based on traditional forms, and others are innovations in response to the growing market for Native American art.

During the 19th century, many items of everyday Native American life - such as pottery - all but ceased to be made by Indians in the Southwest, replaced instead by "American" items bought from trading posts. The rise of an art market spurred their revival. None of the items in this exhibit are sacred items; all were obtained legally and ethically.

Ellins was a longtime professor of psychology at CSUSB, and collected diverse items of Native American art during his tenure at the university. Upon retirement to Florida, he contributed most of those items to the Anthropology Museum and this is the first time they have been shown publicly as an exhibit.

The collection will be on display through the fall. The museum's hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, exclusive of campus holidays and budgetary closure days. Summer hours are adjusted to the summer campus schedule.

Date: 3/4/2010