Fowler Museum at UCLA

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Peru, the Fowler Museum, in collaboration with the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology, Waystation Initiative, CMRS Center for Early Global Studies, Andean Laboratory at UCLA, and the Consulate General of Peru in Los Angeles, will host a public program on the evening of Wednesday, May 20. This presentation and conversation, which will be conducted in English and Spanish with live translation, will explore the historical and contemporary dimensions of U.S.–Peru relations through UCLA’s scholarly and fieldwork collaborations on the north coast of Peru. A light reception in the Fowler Courtyard will follow the conversation. The event will feature Carlos Wester La Torre and remarks by Christopher Donnan, director emeritus of the Fowler Museum and Cotsen Institute at UCLA; Silvia Forni, Shirley & Ralph Shapiro Director of the Fowler Museum; and Stella Nair, professor of art history and director of the Andean Laboratory at UCLA. RSVP at the link in bio! This program is co-presented by Fowler Museum, Cotsen Institute of Archaeology, Waystation Initiative, CMRS Center for Early Global Studies, Andean Laboratory, Andean Working Group, Indigenous Material and Visual Culture Working Group, Center for 17th- & 18th- Century Studies at UCLA, and the Consulate General of Peru in Los Angeles. Graphics designed by Grace Bui-Luu

As part of an effort to better understand our community we have rolled out a new check-in system for our visitors. When you arrive at the Fowler, you will be asked to fill out some basic details on an Ipad before entering the museum. We hope to see you soon!

Gassia Armenian, co-curator of "Mountain Spirits," will guide the reading of "Benita and the Binobodan: An Ifugao Story," written by Marlon Martin and illustrated by Kizel Kotiw-An on Sunday, May 17 as part of our series StoryTime Around the World. The story follows a young girl who initially resists learning to weave; sent to a neighboring village, she learns from skilled artisans the intricate techniques of binobodan, an ikat textile historically associated with Ifugao elites. Discover how Benita’s journey unfolds as she becomes a master weaver, gaining a deeper understanding of her cultural inheritance. 2-3pm Storytime in the gallery 3-4pm Art-making in the courtyard RSVP at the link in bio! Image courtesy of CordiTex, University of the Philippines Baguio; written by Marlon Martin and illustrated by Kizel Cotiw-An; published by Cordillera Textile Project, CordiTex, Baguio City, Philippines, 2020.

Join us on Thursday, May 14 for a film screening of "The Old Kiyyangan Story: Oral Histories and Archaeological Findings from the Old Kiyyangan Village, Ifugao, Philippines," an animation directed by Armando Burgos, with script by Stephen Acabado and Marlon Martin. The film is the result of a close collaboration between archaeologists and Ifugao descendant communities, blending oral history and archaeological research to highlight a crucial chapter of Philippine Indigenous history often absent from national narratives. RSVP at the link in bio! This program is presented in partnership with Ifugao Archaeological Project, Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement (SITMo), UCLA Center for Southeast Asian Studies, UCLA Asian American Studies, UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, FilAm Arts Los Angeles, National Geographic Society, Whiting Foundation Photo courtesy of Paul Connor

This Wednesday's Fowler Out Loud performance features Mickey Hashim, a UCLA senior studying ethnomusicology and mathematics. He will perform woodwinds from around the world, including the Armenian duduk, Chinese dizi, and Thai khaen, premiering original compositions and arrangements that blend jazz with traditional folk idioms, accompanied by a live band and guest musicians. The concert takes place at 7pm in the museum’s outdoor amphitheater. Seating is on the grass, and we encourage you to bring whatever will make you comfortable, such as a chair, mat, blanket, or cushion. Enjoy the music with friends and community. RSVP at the link in bio!

Today we are looking back at this ceramic vessel that was on view in our 2025 exhibition "Taming the Desert: Resilience, Religion, and Ancestors in Ancient Peru." This Moche vessel depicts a mother breastfeeding her child— a powerful reminder that love, nourishment, and resilience have always been at the heart of human experience. Her braided hairstyle and shawl may signify nobility, while her raised hand suggests a gesture of invocation. Today, this work continues to speak to the universal power of motherhood across centuries and cultures. Image: Unidentified artist (Moche people), Sculptural painted ceramic, Moche I–II, 250–450 CE, Fowler Museum at UCLA, X86.3714; Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert L. Lucas Jr.

Forgot Mother’s Day was this weekend? The Fowler Museum Store is open 12–5pm today and tomorrow, stop by for thoughtfully curated gifts from around the world. Browse handcrafted jewelry, artisan textiles, ceramics, candles, books, home décor, accessories, and fair-trade treasures. Come grab something unique for the mom who deserves it all! Image 1: Photo by Angel Xoltanihua

Tomorrow join us for a screening of the Emmy Award–winning documentary "Finding Edna Lewis," which celebrates the extraordinary life and legacy of Chef Edna Lewis and her transformative contributions to American cuisine, particularly Southern cooking. The film screening will be followed by a conversation with Deb Freeman, executive producer of the film, and Chef Martin Draluck of Black Pot Supper Club, who will also host a pre-screening tasting inspired by Edna Lewis’s culinary legacy. This program invites audiences to reflect on Lewis’s influence as a pioneering chef, author, and storyteller whose work continues to shape contemporary culinary narratives. RSVP at the link in bio! Saturday, May 9 5–6pm: Courtyard reception featuring light refreshments and curated small bites by Chef Martin Draluck 6–6:30pm: Lenart Auditorium, doors open to the public 6:30–7:30pm: Film screening in Lenart Auditorium 7:30–9pm: Conversation and Q&A This program is presented in partnership with the UCLA Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies and Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies

From Waste to Place: Recycled Plastic in Public Space Wednesday, May 13 12:00–1:30 PM Fowler Museum at UCLA Food provided Hands-on Workshop led by architect Bryony Roberts Join us for a hands-on workshop exploring how material choices shape more sustainable, welcoming public spaces at the Fowler Museum. Artchitectural designer and scholar Bryony Roberts will introduce participants to post-consumer recycled plastics and their potential use in public space design. Participants will touch and compare material samples, connect sustainability questions to community design, and take part in an interactive activity in the Fowler courtyard and galleries, testing possible patterns of use and discussing comfort, accessibility, and ADA-related considerations. Open to students, faculty, staff, and community members interested in sustainability, design, public space, and creative learning. Sponsored by The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF). Copresented by cityLAB-UCLA, cityLAB-Coalition, and Fowler Museum at UCLA. #RecycledPlastic #PublicSpaceDesign #SustainableDesign #CommunityDesign #FowlerMuseum

We are hosting a focus group discussion for students on our "Belongings" exhibition on Wednesday, May 27 from 4-6pm. The Fowler Museum aims to create exhibitions that delight, educate and inspire our community and we need your input to help shape what comes next at the Fowler. Interested in participating? Fill out our short survey at the link in bio for a chance to join. Selected participants will be contacted with additional details. Thank you for being a part of the Fowler Museum community and helping us grow!

Gassia Armenian, co-curator of "Mountain Spirits," will lead a walk-through of the exhibition which explores the sacred landscapes and cultural traditions of the Ifugao of northern Luzon on Thursday, May 7 at 1pm. Discover carved guardians, ritual bowls, woven blankets, and farming tools that reveal how labor, generosity, and spirituality are intertwined in everyday life. Recognized by UNESCO for their ancestral knowledge and sustainable practices, the Ifugao rice terraces continue to inspire with their enduring ingenuity and connection to the land. RSVP at the link in bio! Photo by Elon Schoenholz

Tomorrow, join us for a spring evening under the stars with Mariachi de Uclatlán—the first mariachi ensemble established at an academic university—led by Grammy-winning musical director Jesús “Chuy” Guzmán. Celebrated worldwide for its passionate musical excellence, the ensemble will perform music by influential Mexican composers. Fowler Out Loud: Mariachi de Uclatlán Wednesday, May 6 | 6-8pm Fowler Museum Amphitheatre RSVP at the link in bio! This performance is presented in partnership with the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music as part of UCLA’s Spring Festival of World Music. Photo courtesy of Mariachi de Uclatlán