Exhibits at the University of Florida Libraries
Exhibit News
John David Ridge: A Life in Costume
January 2020
The George A. Smathers Libraries begin 2020 with an exhibition from the collection of costume designer and creator John David Ridge. Ridge’s career has spanned more than 50 years (c. 1960-2019) and includes work from Broadway, film, television, and ballet. Items on view are from the John David Ridge Collection, Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries. Through a long family history with UF, Ridge established the Collection in 1988. His father Dr. John Drew Ridge, was head of the UF Geology Department (1960s-1970s) and his mother, Margaret Ridge, was the Slavic Languages cataloguer/librarian in the University Libraries in the 1970s. John David Ridge continues to donate materials to the expansive and colorful collection.
Curated by Jim Liversidge
Black Educators: Florida’s Secret Social Justice Advocates, 1920-1960
Ocotober 2018
In celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Desegregation at the University of Florida, the George A. Smathers Libraries, The Center for Race and Race Relations, the Lawton Chiles Legal Information Center, and the A. Quinn Jones Museum & Cultural Center are coming together to showcase the role of Black educators who advanced social justice in the four decades preceding the Civil Rights Movement.
The complementary exhibits are curated by Diedre Houchen, Ph.D. (Center for Race and Race Relations) and Florence M. Turcotte (Smathers Libraries). Most of the items on view are from the George A. Smathers Libraries’ Special and Area Studies Collections.
Racism, Representation, and Resistance in Children’s Literature 1800 – 2015
August 2018
On view August 13, 2018 – October 15, 2018 Racism, Representation, and Resistance in Children’s Literature 1800 – 2015 illustrates the power of children’s literature to shape young minds.
Curated by Suzan Alteri, Stephanie Birch, and Dr. Hélène Huet
Beetle | Book | Bark
January 2017
The George A. Smathers Libraries will present an exhibition of original artwork and rare books depicting bark beetles and their impact on the environment. On view January 9 through March 10, 2017, Beetle | Book | Bark, reflects upon the beetles themselves, their destructive capacity, and the art they unintentionally create.
Curated by Jiri Hulcr and John Nemmers
Mysteries of an Autograph
September 2016
The Smathers Libraries will present a new bilingual exhibition that explores the mysteries of literary autographed books in the Latin American and Caribbean Collection (LACC). On view September 26 through December 16, 2016, Mysteries of an Autograph will highlight autographed books that draw attention to the specificity of Latin American cultural legacy and examine the connections between the authors, autograph recipients, and donors. A companion exhibit will be on view during the same time in the Latin American and Caribbean Collection.
Curated by Margarita Vargas-Betancourt with assistance from Antonio Cardentey
Government House and the Stories of St. Augustine
March 2015
In celebration of the 450th Anniversary of the city of St. Augustine, the George A. Smathers Libraries will present an exhibition of maps, photographs, written observations, and artifacts relating to the rich history of Government House. On view from August 24 through October 23, 2015, Government House and the Stories of St. Augustine, reflects upon the city’s history, from colonial life to international warfare and politics, and from governmental administration to race relations.
Curated by Matt Armstrong, Tom Caswell, Jim Cusick, and John Nemmers
When Uncle Sammy Leads the Band: the Bernard S. Parker WWI Sheet Music Collection
March 2015
When Uncle Sammy Leads the Band, an exhibition of items from the Bernard S. Parker World War I Sheet Music Collection, will be on view March 16 through May 15, 2015. This exhibition pays tribute to the music industry during World War I. Representing and promoting both sides of the neutrality issue in the divided nation, titles such as America First, The Neutrality March and Don’t Take My Darling Boy Away supported staying out of the war while titles such as America Awake and What Kind of American Are You? supported a declaration of war.
Curated by Jim Liversidge
Beast in the Book
January 2015
The George A. Smathers Libraries will present an exhibition of animal imagery in medieval manuscripts. On view from January 12 through March 6, 2015, The Beast in the Book: Animals in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Illustrations from the Middle Ages, encourages the viewer to reflect upon the ways in which the illustrators combined high art and imagination along with didactic messages.
Curated by Rebecca Jefferson
