Kindred Spirits: Tracing Connections examines the provenance and interconnectedness of objects collected in the region and encompasses a variety of works in different media, created in different time frames and includes unknown, regional and internationally acclaimed artists. The unifying thesis of the exhibition is the interpretive approach and compares artwork from within collections with source material and cultural influences that may have informed their creation. Works included in the exhibition have been created by a variety of artists including Rudy and Lela Autio, Pablo Picasso, Miriam Schapiro, and Lulu Yee. The exhibition is an opportunity to view objects in a context designed to add to our understanding of each object’s provenance.

Kathleen Kurz, guest curator for MAM, with a background in art history and anthropology, began developing this exhibition nearly two years ago. The project was inspired by the fact that many objects within museum collections are not viewed within broader contexts of cultural and artistic influence. And so the exhibition examines the ideas that each object represents and the paths that the objects have taken to rest before us in an exhibition. The exhibition reflects the emerging awareness of every museum’s responsibility to be an educational institution as opposed to simply an object warehouse.

Over 30 objects have been drawn together from several different collections in the region including the MAM Collection. Additional works have been generously loaned by: The University of Montana Museum of Art and Culture, the People’s Center, the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, and some private local collections. Kindred Spirits: Tracing Connections is the basis for the 19^th annual Fifth Grade Art Experience co-sponsored by the Art Associates of Missoula.

Other Artists who participated in Kindred Spirits: Honore Daumier, Nancy Jane Hise, Corita Kent, Kathe Kollwitz, Peter & Henry Meloy, Pablo Picasso, Miriam Schapiro, Steve Schrepferman, Preston Singletary, and Jim Todd.