Selected Exhibitions

"Fantasia: Fans from the Sage Collection" exhibition in Monroe County History Center, Bloomington, Indiana, October 12, 2007- January 6, 2008. October 12, 2007- January 6, 2008. More than 70 examples from the Sage Collection’s fans illustrate the different forms of fans from around the world and demonstrate the manner in which a fan is: ceremonial and practical; a symbol of high status; and a fragile, feminine plaything.

Link to Fantasia Exhibit page in PDF.

“Bijoux: The Jewelry of Esther Collyer” exhibition in the Fine Arts Library Foyer, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, June 8 –August 21, 2006. Selected pieces of 20th century costume jewelry from the collection of Esther Collyer. Co-curated by Jessica Rall and Petra Slinkard, Assistant Curator Kelly Richardson.

“Was There a Mrs. Kinsey?” exhibition in the Monroe County History Center, Bloomington, Indiana, November 4, 2005—March 26, 2006. Selected objects of women’s and children’s clothing from Clara Kinsey, her ancestors, daughter, and grand children along with photographs from the Kinsey Institute. Curated by Kelly Richardson.

“The Allure of Dress: Function, Fashion, Fantasy, Fetish” exhibition installed in the Mathers Museum of World Cultures at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, October 16, 2004—January 16, 2006. Objects from the Sage Collection, Kinsey Institute, and the Mathers Museum illustrating a variety of themes associated with clothing, modesty, sexuality, and fashion across time and cultures. Co-curated by Kathleen Rowold, Kelly Richardson, Elaine Gaul, and Catherine Johnson-Roehr.

“Bill Blass: An American Designer” exhibition installed in the Indiana University Art Museum, Bloomington, Indiana, October 4, 2002—December 17, 2002. The first full retrospective of the work of Bill Blass, featuring selected sketches, drawings, and women’s clothing from five decades of Blass designs. Curated by Kathleen Rowold, designed by Michael Vollbracht.

“The Nineteenth Century Revisited: Sartorial Silhouettes” exhibition in the Monroe County Historical Society Museum, Bloomington, Indiana, October 12, 2000—February 25, 2001. Five 19th century gowns representing the varied aesthetics of that century. Curated by Kathleen Rowold.

“Collection/Recollection: Objects Donated by Residents of Meadowood Retirement Community”, March 31—May 1, 2000. Clothing and accessories donated to the Sage Collection by residents of Meadowood Retirement Community in celebration of their 20th anniversary. Curated by Kate Rowold, Assistant Curator, Kelly Richardson.

“Flights of Fancy: The Art of Fashion’s Surface Design” exhibition in the Indiana University Art Museum, Bloomington, Indiana, October 1—December 7, 1997. Selected objects of women’s, children’s and men’s clothing from 1830—1996, illustrating six surface design techniques (appliqué, beading/sequinning, embroidery, pleating/tucking, printing/painting, and quilting). Co-curated by Kathleen Rowold and Pat Roath.

“Stitches in Air: Five Centuries of Lace” exhibition in the Indiana University Art Museum, Bloomington, Indiana, January 6—March 7, 1993. Laces demonstrating the variety and technical ingenuity of lace making since its beginnings in the sixteenth century. Co-curated by Nancy Krueger, Patricia Roath, and Kathleen Rowold.