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Volume 56, # 6 June 2019

Maturango Museum: Preserve, interpret and develop an appreciation for

the natural and cultural history of the Northern Mojave Desert. 100 E. Las Flores Ave., Ridgecrest, CA 93555

10 am – 5 pm every day. 760.375.6900 www.maturango.org Death Valley Tourist Center Northern Mojave Visitor Center

Museum Director’s Notes

By Debbie Benson, Director

One of the most marvelous things on the warm

summer days is walking through a garden and finding

yourself in the company of butterflies, bees, hummingbirds

and various other inhabitants. Even when the sun is getting

too warm, the gardens and trees at the Museum provide a

respite from the heat. The people who volunteer to help with the gardens and to clean and trim provide a

benefit for everyone who visits. Thanks from us all!

I hope everyone has a chance to visit the Museum and see the new walls in the Sylvia Winslow

Gallery, new carpeting in the display area and the work we are doing on some displays as well!

Just as a reminder, we are funded by the individuals and businesses who support the Maturango

Museum and our mission. We do not receive funding from the City of Ridgecrest, the State or the Federal

Government. We are not funded by your tax dollars, we are funded by you. Thank you for all of the support

you show us and for making what we do possible.

Folias Flute and Guitar Duo Concert

Friday June 7 at 7 pm.

The Maturango Museum 2018-2019 concert series concludes with

a performance by Folias Flute and Guitar Duo in the Coso Gallery on

Friday June 7, 2019 at 7:00 pm.

The Michigan based husband and wife team of Folias Duo present

a program of all original classical music for flute and guitar influenced by

Argentine tango, Astor Piazzolla, and South American folk. Folias Duo’s fifteen year performer/composer collaboration has taken this nomadic

husband and wife duo to stages throughout the United States and

around the globe including Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Italy,

Portugal, Argentina, and Chile. They have a fearless approach to developing new compositions for flute

and guitar, an expertise for arrangements of Argentine tango, and a passion for South American folk, jazz

and world music. About Folias’s performing and composing, Robert Schulslaper of Fanfare Magazine

writes: “Carmen Maret and Andrew Bergeron are facile players…they draw on tango rhythms and melodies sometimes; at other times they write with a scenic sensitivity…mysterious…charming…evocative,” while Todd Gorman of American Record Guide calls the Folias Duo “daring in self- written music” and “a nice touch of originality.”

Concert tickets ($20 for general admission and $5 for child 12 and younger) are available in the

museum store or online, http://shop.maturango.org.

Up they soar, the planet’s butterflies, Pigments from the warm body of the earth,

Cinnabar, ochre, phosphor yellow, gold,

a swarm of basic elements aloft.

- Inger Christensen -

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“Always One More Chance”

The Sylvia Winslow Gallery is now ready for a new exhibit

titled “Always One More Chance”. This exhibit will feature some of the museum’s curated art that deals with mining as well as mining

items also from curation storage. Prospecting was a “chancy” occupation but the rewards of striking it rich called many people to

the desert to try their luck.

Progress made in Sylvia Winslow Gallery and El Paso Room.

The Sylvia Winslow Gallery has a clean and fresh look. The

carpeting was removed from the walls, followed by texturing and

painting. New carpeting was installed on the floor in both the

Sylvia Winslow Gallery and the El Paso Room (exhibit room). Wall

panels like the panels in the Coso Room are now on the walls in

the Winslow Gallery. We want to thank all the volunteers that

helped in the process: Ron Atkins, Bob McGowan, BJ Holden,

Hannah Martin, Steve Martin, Bob Westbrook, Peter Wiley, Elaine

Wiley and Will Zajicek. Progress!

VX-9 Navy Personnel Volunteer at the Maturango Museum.

Weeding the museum grounds at this time of year is a

daunting task. Fortunately, members of the VX-9 crew came out

on Monday, April 29th to lend a hand. They cleared weeds that

were growing next to the sidewalk leading up to the front doors. It

all takes time and many hands sure make the work go faster –

especially when the workers are young and strong! We are so very

thankful for their help.

Photo from left to right: Brandon Richards, Kaelyn Vail, Steve

Martin, Tyler Prather, Rodni Diaz and Victor Diaz.

2019 “Faces of Southeast Asia” Exhibit

This June brings a new exhibit to the Argus Room. This

photographic exhibit titled “Faces of Southeast Asia” showcases the culture of the countries of Vietnam, Laos,

Cambodia, Myanmar, and China (Yunnan Province). The

photographer, Dave Kurdeka, has traveled extensively in

these countries and was captivated by the people, their

culture, and the landscapes where they live. Dave’s photographs are rich in detail and tone and capture the beauty

of the people and landscapes. Through his photos, Dave

wishes to provide a glimpse into this fascinating part of the world.

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Museum Members’ Artistic Interpretations

of Curated Objects

Our museum curators have chosen objects from collection storage and 34 of our museum members

have artistically interpreted one item and made an “art object”. All of the objects are on display and the

members’ artwork is for sale.

The idea is to have fun and get very creative. Check out these creations…

Lectures about our Local Petroglyphs

Our Archaeology Curator, Alexander (Sandy) Rogers, will present the last

of this season’s special lectures about our local petroglyphs on Saturday June 1;

some history, some scientific data and some current opinions. This information

should enhance the experience for tour participants in the canyon.

This lecture is free and open to the public; the lecture begins at 7 pm and

lasts about an hour.

“Maturango Sketchbook” by Sally Valiton.

Sally has donated her sketchbook to the museum;

we plan to make a book that we will have for sale.

“Electrorat” by Skip Gorman

“Mined” by Maria Coit

“Corn and Arrow” by Katie Kimmel

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Docent Doings

By Nora Nuckles

With the end of the school year approaching, docents are very busy giving tours, providing

enrichment programs, and planning for summer school classes. We are proud of the contributions we have

made to our community and visitors! The Maturango Museum Docent League will celebrate our

accomplishments at an ice cream social in June.

Now we have bragging rights! The docents were awarded the Rose Service Award from the Sierra

Sands Unified School District. Las Flores school staff nominated us for this award for service to the

students of their school. Mrs. Sue Marvin, the principal, noted that docents were in classrooms always

monthly, and sometimes weekly, to present programs in science

and social studies. The

hands-on approach we

bring with artifacts and

specimens is exciting and

motivating to students. She

also noted that the docents

had added a series of art

lessons that the students

truly enjoyed. We thank

Mrs. Marvin and the school

staff for this award.

As you can see, the docents can always use more volunteers! Why is it great to become a docent?

You can teach and interact with many children and adults in the community. You can learn more about our

desert, its history, geology, flora and fauna. Most of all, you can meet the most incredible, fascinating

people who love our community and make Ridgecrest such a special place. You can interact with doctors,

nurses, geologists, biologists, engineers, and the rest of us who love to learn. Each docent brings interests

and enthusiasm to the group!

Consider joining the Docent League of the Maturango Museum. Contact me at

nora@maturango.org if you wish to know more about the docent league or have your own personal tour of

the docent room, our special headquarters!

Kids’ Summer Art Classes with Fawn Martinez

Fawn Martinez has planned art classes for summer. We’ll focus on an artist each week and you’ll create your own art. All students will learn about a different artist each week (2 days each week). Fee will

be per week. Appropriate for ages 3 - 8; 10:30 am - noon; $30 per week (2 days).

Registration will be through the City of Ridgecrest; www.ridgecrest-ca.gov/recreation

Limited to 15 children with a minimum of 8 children.

Session 1: June 4 and June 6, Vincent Van Gogh

Session 2: June 18 and June 20, Henri Matisse

Session 3: July 16 and July 18, Yayoi Kusama

Session 4: July 23 and July 25, Andy Warhol

Session 5: Aug. 6 and 8: Artist, Jackson Pollock

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Donations and New Members

Donations Camille and Ian Anderson – in memory of Ken Pringle Howard and Margaret Anderson Janice and John Anderson Linda Anderson Anonymous (2) Ron Atkins Mary Atkinson Jane Baron Thom Boggs Jerry and Sandy Bradley Tine Brouwer – in memory of

Julie Robinson Dan and Brenda Burnett Donald and Shirley Crouse Cathie and Tom Doyel Clint and Joanne Freeman Lisa Kidder Evelyn Knierim Jack and Joanne Latimer Alan and Leslie Layfield Therese Moore Jann Philpott John and Cris Robinson – for

petroglyph tour guides Larry Sawyer Don Snyder Nancy Vetter

Pat Wharton Al and Joan Woodman – in memory of Ken Pringle Wayne and Ingrid Zellmer Exhibit Rooms Anonymous (2) Ken and Alice Atwood Thom Boggs Sherry Brubaker Lois and Jerry Hinman Kathy and Bill Martin Naomi Norris Sue Parker Searles Valley Minerals Harrell and Lynne Spoons Michael S. Vincent Endowment Fund Anonymous (1) Docents Anonymous (1) Jean and Michael King Shade Structure Jeanne Backman – in memory

of Marvin E. Backman

Shade Structure – in memory of Dick Benson

Camille and Ian Anderson Robert Campbell Doris H. Hammer Patricia Kleinschmidt Charlie Wight Student Anthropology

Program Anonymous (1) Thom Boggs Naomi Norris Sandy and Fran Rogers Michael S. Vincent Taxidermy Fund Sherry Brubaker Andrea Jones Naomi Norris Building Fund Robert Westbrook New Members Steven Doorenbes Pat Gooch Janice M. Schorr

Father’s Day Sale in the Museum Gift Shop

Saturday June 8 – Father’s Day June 16.

Most items 20% discount.

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Maturango Museum’s “Andean Textiles Day”

Saturday June 22, 10 am – 5 pm

Join us for an event-filled day featuring Andean Textiles, Weaving, and Local Artisans.

Peru and Bolivia Travelogue Presentation;

10 am

Andrea Pelch will give a presentation about her trip to Peru and Bolivia including the sights and sounds of Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Moray, Puma Punku, Winter Solstice events in Cusco, the Winter Solstice ceremony at Tiwanaku, a grade-school in the Peruvian highlands, Lake Titicaca and La Paz.

“Peruvian Textiles in a Box: Textiles and Traditions of the Peruvian Highland Weavers”; 12 noon

At 12 noon we will present the Andean Textile Arts’ educational video so you can meet the weavers, dyers, knitters, and spinners of the Peruvian Highlands without leaving home. The program highlights the arts and artisan members of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco (CTTC) through a 25-minute documentary video, and five presentation boards of twenty actual samples of unique textile techniques of the artisan’s work. Clothroads Trunk Show and Sale; All Day

During the day, we’ll be hosting a trunk show and sale of original Peruvian textile weavings and knitted goods including bags in many sizes, hats, runners and pillows. It will be like a mini colorful marketplace where you can enjoy the stories of the artisans and their extraordinary handmade products. Sales of these items benefits the lives of the artisans and the sustainability of their deep traditions. ClothRoads is a distributer for the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco (CTTC) products in the U.S. See their website and products www.clothroads.com/product-category/center-for-traditonal-

textiles-of-cusco/

Loom Weaving Demonstrations; All Day

Cheryl Winstead will bring her floor looms and demonstrate her techniques. She will also have

her own artwork for sale.

Childrens’ and Adults’ Activities; 2 – 5 pm

Fun and informative “mini workshops” will be held during the afternoon. These may include spinning wool and weaving various fibers using simple techniques.

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Maturango Museum of the IWV 100 E. Las Flores Ave., Ridgecrest, CA 93555 Open every day (except major holidays)

10 am - 5 pm

Businesses and Organizations Supporters • Contributors • Sponsors

Please support the businesses and organizations

that support the Maturango Museum

Staff Debbie Benson, Museum Director Maureen Goff, Store Manager/Buyer Sandy Rogers, Archaeology Curator Elaine Wiley, History Curator Sherry Brubaker, Natural History Curator Julie Stephens, Finance Manager Fran Van Valkenburgh, Membership Andrea Pelch, Art Gallery Coordinator Joann Barbee, Assistant Bookkeeper Nora Nuckles, Education Coordinator Linda Saholt, Petroglyph Tour Coord. Leslie Layfield, Accounting Assistant Sue Gilbert, Museum Assistant Deanna Stewart, Museum Assistant Nora Nuckles, Museum Assistant Nick Rogers, Museum Assistant Andrea Pelch, Newsletter Editor

Committee Chairpersons Dan Burnett, Building Fran Rogers, Concerts Bev Hill, Docent League Sandy Rogers, Lectures Elaine Wiley, Publications Bob Westbrook, Strategic Planning Mike Brown, Webmaster

Board of Trustees Jerry Bradley – President Bev Hill – Vice President Camille Anderson – Treasurer Dianne Dilley – Secretary Ron Atkins Sue Parker Libby Vincent Tom Perkins Tom Zulkoski

Act Too Consulting, Inc. AltaOne Federal Credit Union American Assoc. of Univ. Women Ashley Furniture HomeStore Beanster’s Espresso Best Western China Lake Inn Boulder Creek RV Resort Clarion Inn Coldwell Banker Best Realty DART Daily Independent Eastern Sierra Custom Framing Econo Lodge Epsilon Systems Solutions, Inc. Friends of Jawbone Oasis at Death Valley Gary Charlon State Farm Hampton Inn & Suites High Desert Haven Historical Society of the Upper

Mojave Desert Hockett’s Builder’s Supply Inspire Charter School KPartners Hospitality Group Kristy’s Family Restaurant Law Offices of Phyllis M. Hix

McDonald’s Restaurant New Directions Technologies,

Inc. News Review Oasis Garden Club PackWrap Business Center The Pizza Factory Rodeway Heritage Inn & Suites Ridgecrest Area Convention and

Visitors Bureau Ridgecrest Regional Hospital Ridgecrest Moving &

Storage/Atlas Van Lines St. Ann Catholic School Searles Valley Minerals Sierra Club, Owens Peak Group Sierra Sands Unified School

District SpringHill Suites by Marriott The Swap Sheet TJ Frisbee Bicycles, Inc. TOSS WACOM Warren’s Automotive

Regularly Scheduled Meetings

China Lake Astronomical Society: 1st Monday of each month, 7 pm

Kerncrest Audubon Society: 3rd Thursday bi-monthly [Jan, Mar, May, Sep, Nov, not July], 7 pm

Docent League: 1st Tuesday of each month, 8:45 a.m., everyone welcome

California Turtle and Tortoise Club: 2nd Monday of each month, 7 pm

Museum Board of Trustees: 3rd Monday of each month, 7 pm

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Calendar

Petroglyph Lecture: Saturday June 1, 7 pm

Folias Flute and Guitar Duo Concert: Friday June 7, 7 pm.

Andean Textiles Day: Saturday June 22, 10 am – 5 pm

Pizza Factory and Beanster’s Espresso Fundraiser All day Thursday June 20.

20% of your purchase is donated to the Maturango Museum.