The InstigatorUPDATE: Explore tea and coffee customs throughout the world EXTENDED through April 30 at the World Beat Gallery
Salem Multicultural Institute (SMI) has partnered with Friends of Deepwood (Deepwood Museum & Gardens), to allow visitors to enjoy items from their collection while their facility remains closed, for Something’s Brewing — an exhibit that explores tea and coffee customs from around the world.
In addition to highlighting tea and coffee sets from a dozen different cultures, as well as furniture, clothing, and other accessories all related to tea or coffee, and photographs to contextualize the displays, the exhibit also includes items on loan from community members throughout the mid-Willamette Valley, as well as information about the role of tea in the women’s suffrage movement in America, children’s tea sets and photographs of the Deepwood historic house museum.
“What better way to explore connections between different cultural groups than by looking at the different ways they’ve developed to consume these beverages? People have been gathering around objects like these, with beautiful colors and delicate designs, for centuries, as an expression of community solidarity, religious ritual, or simply to relax and catch up with friends,” said SMI Executive Director Kathleen Fish.
“It is wonderful to work together as cultural organizations to offer an exhibit that can educate while offering a safe outing during this unusual time. Deepwood Museum & Gardens has a long history of welcoming guests for three-course teas in the museum home, so while we wait to resume our home tours and teas we’re pleased to pull from the museum’s collection to educate on these rich traditions and history,” said Yvonne Putze, Friends of Deepwood Executive Director.
The World Beat Gallery, located in Pringle Park Plaza at 390 Liberty St SE (across from Marco Polo restaurant), is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, as well as Saturdays by appointment. For more information, visit salemmulticultural.org or call 503-581-2004. Learn more about Deepwood Museum & Gardens at deepwoodmuseum.org.
