Exhibits | Center of Southwest Studies

Monumental Textiles & Miniature Masterpieces showcases pieces from the Center of Southwest Studies’ permanent collections, which exemplify the skill, attention to detail, and artistry of their makers. The exhibit features Diné, Pueblo, and Hispanic weavings alongside miniature paintings, textiles, pottery, and more from The Durango Collection® and the Southwest Textile and Art Collections.

An annual tradition in Durango for fifty years, the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic has been bringing cyclists together to race the train on Memorial Day weekend since 1972. This exhibit celebrates the second oldest bicycle race in the country and Durango’s unique cycling culture and history.

Location: Delaney Library

Explores photography in Durango, CO. throughout history in an exhibit of images and photographic equipment. Featuring a collection of Polaroid photographs taken by Fort Lewis College students, staff, and alumni in the Fall of 2022; inspired by Polaroid cameras and photographs found in the Center of Southwest Studies.

Curated by Anthropology & Studio Art student, AJ Lopez.

Also on display in Delaney Library are a portion of the Center’s 2011 exhibit Frontier Blues: The Legacy of Fort Lewis College and and The ‘Indian’ in Children’s Literature: What we have been – what we can be.

Location: Ignacio Community Library

Students, faculty, staff, and family gathered on November 30th to see The Stories We Wear exhibit in McPherson Chapel, alongside the Durango Sexual Assault Services Organization (SASO)'s Sing Our Rivers Red exhibit, and three guest speakers from the community. The Stories We Wear, created by curatorial fellow Elise Boulanger in partnership with FLC student group Rising Matriarchs and the Native American Center, was created to honor and remember Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives. It consists of three pieces of clothing - a ribbon skirt, an atikluk, and a blanket decorated by over 30 students and alumni. The installation will be moving around campus until September 2023 so keep an eye on this page and Center’s social media for its latest location.