Morales, a graduate student in IU's Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology, explores the fundamental nature of the botánica her grandmother, Puerto Rican spiritist healer Jerusalén Morales-Diaz, describes as “a pharmacy for the soul…a place where people go to deal with their inner being, to seek remedies that will heal their spirits."

This glimpse into the world of botánicas features stories, photographs, and objects collected by Morales that demonstrate a belief that there is more to life than can be seen, and highlights items used for spiritual protection, healing, and worship. An online blog (at www.botanica-jardines.blogspot.com/) created by Morales documents the development of the exhibit.

The exhibit will be on display through July 2, 2009, at the Mathers Museum.

The Mathers Museum is located at 416 North Indiana Avenue in Bloomington, and is open Tuesdays through Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Admission to the Museum is free. Free visitor parking is available by the entrance on Indiana Avenue, and on surrounding streets (during weekends). Metered and IU Permit parking spaces are available at the McCalla School parking lot on the corner of Ninth Street and Indiana Avenue.

An access ramp is located at the corner of Ninth Street and Fess Avenue,at the entrance to the Glenn Black Laboratory of Archaeology adjoining the Mathers Museum. Reserved parking spaces are available on Ninth Street, between Fess Avenue and Indiana Avenue. If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. Please call 812-855-1696 for assistance.

For more information, or to schedule a guided group tour, please call 812-855-6873, or e-mail mathers@indiana.edu.

Contact: mathers@indiana.edu
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