Free admission at Bowers Museum this Sunday Nov 6, but come early for Terra Cotta Soldiers exhibit

If you have never made your way to Santa Ana's Bowers Museum, it has very educational and informative exhibits and seem to have a long connection with China and a particular interest in the terra cotta soldiers from Xian, China.  Back in the 1980s, we visited the archeological site and there was little written in English.  I haven't been to the new museum in Xian, but this should be a pretty exciting exhibit for free!  This Sunday, and each first Sunday of the month, Bowers opens its door to everyone, but come earlier rather than later to avoid the crowds.

You can also download the audiotour ahead of time prior to the visit - see the link below.  The long teacher's packet is one of the best I have seen.  Check the links below.

A recent Secrets of the Dead program featured the mysteries of how these soldiers were created (did you know they were all brightly painted originally before exposure to air?)?

Come earlier as the first 1500 visitors will get free admission (usually $14 - $23) to this special exhibit. Parking is free and Kidseum is also free on the first Sunday of each month, thanks to Target.

http://www.bowers.org/index.php/visit/directions (free parking)

http://www.bowers.org/files/TCWTeacherCurriculumGuide.pdf (for the earlier related exhibit)

http://www.bowers.org/index.php/learn/k12 (for all exhibits, including previous ones)

Enter the great tombs and temples of the powerful, and the cunning men and women who ruled imperial China. ``Warriors, Tombs and Temples: China’s Enduring Legacy`` is a landmark exhibition drawn from China’s most important archaeological excavations assembled in cooperation with seven leading Chinese institutions.

WARRIORS, TOMBS AND TEMPLES: CHINA`S ENDURING LEGACYSATURDAY, OCTOBER 1 - SUNDAY, MARCH 04, 2012 Follow this exhibition through the underworld empires of three of the most formative dynasties in Chinese history: the Qin, the Han and the Tang, each a high point of culture and technology, looked back to with pride by Chinese people and admired by others today. The treasures that accompanied China’s rulers and elites in the afterlife, and the spectacular gold and silver offerings placed in their temples, speak to the incredible accomplishments of an ancient culture whose descendants still live on today. The exhibition features the famous life-size terra cotta warriors, protector of China’s first emperor Qin Shihuangdi, whose mausoleum complex is considered the eighth wonder of the world. Newly excavated, the painted garments and armor are clearly visible thanks to new conservation techniques. Smaller in scale but equally impressive are some of the more than 40,000 smiling terra cotta warriors from the imperial tomb compounds of Han emperors Gaozu and Jingdi. They are presented in combination with concubines, animals and a multitude of objects that insured a lavish and comfortable afterlife. The royal and elite tombs from the Tang Dynasty were stocked with riches clearly tied to the trade of exotic goods along the Silk Road. Dazzling gold ornaments, tomb guardians, a mural depicting a game of polo and many other luxuries illustrate the taste of Tang elites and the era’s connection with the West. And, for the first time in the United States, come gold, silver and gemstone treasures deposited into the treasure-crypt of the Famen Monastery by six Tang Dynasty emperors and China’s only female emperor Wu Zhao. This important Buddhist site, sealed in 874 of the Tang Dynasty and rediscovered in 1987, was founded with the fragment of the historical Buddha’s finger bone. The reliquaries associated with the sacred relic are part of this exhibition. DOWNLOAD THE WARRIORS AUDIO TOUR FROM iTUNES and bring it with you on your favorite mobile device.

http://www.bowers.org/index.php/visit/hours_and_tickets

MUSEUM HOURS

Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Open until 8:00 PM on Thursday, November 3rd, 10th and 17th.

Warriors, Tombs and Temples: China’s Enduring LegacyWarriors, Tombs and Temples: China’s Enduring Legacy is a specially ticketed and timed exhibition. This hour long tour includes a richly narrated audio guide that transports visitors to the splendor of three of China’s most influential dynasties.

	Tue/Wed/Thur	Fri/Sat/Sun
ADULTS SENIORS (AGE 62+) STUDENTS (18+) CHILDREN (6-17) CHILDREN UNDER 6 TOUR TIMES	$21 $14 $14 $12 FREE 1PM & 2PM	$23 $19 $19 $14 FREE 11AM (Sat/Sun only);
		1PM & 2PM

Sunday February 6th - free admission to Bowers Museum in Santa Ana - Chinese New Year of the Rabbit

If you have never been to Bowers Museum, go on February 6th, 2011, and enjoy a free admission day to all its exhibits and enjoy an afternoon of Chinese cultural events to celebrate Chinese New Year ... it is the year of the rabbit.  Free admission opens at 10am and there is free parking - first come first served :)

TARGET FREE FIRST SUNDAY

 Sunday, February 6, 2011, 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM

On the first Sunday of every month, the Bowers invites you to bring your family to the museum for a free afternoon of cultural fun! This month`s spotlight shines on the music, dance, arts, and food of China! Come celebrate the Year of the Rabbit!

		Quilts: Two Centuries of American Tradition and Technique Back by popular demand, Quilts: Two Centuries of American Tradition and Technique presents the Bowers’ most popular American quilts. To satisfy the curious and creative visitor, emphasis is placed on the quilts` construction techniques.
		Spirits and Headhunters: Art of the Pacific Islands Experience exquisite masterpieces and dynamic objects from the vast and diverse Pacific Islands in this special exhibition guest curated by Chris Rainier.
		Ancient Arts of China: A 5000 Year Legacy Curated by authorities of Chinese history and culture from the Shanghai Museum, this incredible collection portrays the evolution of Chinese art and culture.
		Masters of Adornment: The Miao People of China This important collection of exquisite textiles and silver jewelry on loan to and from the Bowers Museum’s permanent collection highlights the beauty and wealth of the Miao peoples of southwest China.

Gemstone Carvings: The Masterworks of Harold Van Pelt Saturday, July 17 - Sunday, May 01, 2011
Thousands have admired the work of Harold Van Pelt who, along with his wife Erica, are considered the best gem and mineral photographers in the world. Few know of Van Pelt’s extraordinary ability as a fine art gemstone carver, and nobody has ever seen his entire body of work assembled in one place. Bowers Museum is proud to present the first comprehensive exhibition of the extraordinary artworks of Harold Van Pelt.

For over 35 years Van Pelt has quietly been perfecting the art of carving quartz, rock crystal and agate gemstones. Hundreds of hours go into each multi-faceted, fluted, and textured vase, hollow container, sculpture and vessel, many of which are accented with gold and semi-precious stones. Working the stone down to paper-thin walls brings out the gorgeous natural quality and colors of the agate and gives quartz the transparency of glass. Transformed by one man’s vision and skill from a solid stone to an incredibly delicate work of art, the gemstone carvings of Harold Van Pelt have to be seen to be believed.

Sponsored by the Nicholas Endowment.

Sunday, February 6, 2011, 10 AM – 4 PM The Bowers Museum offers free admission to the museum on the first Sunday of every month. Sponsored by the Target Corporation.