"Cactus Queen," a print by Patsi Valdez, will be in the MARS Prints show

NAU Art Museum gives voice
to three cultural traditions

With three upcoming exhibits, the NAU Art Museum will be displaying symbolic representations of three different traditional backgrounds.

Opening July 9, the museum will highlight "Contemporary Reliquaries: Housing the Mementos of Our Day," "MARS Prints" and "Blood Brothers." A reception is planned for 7 to 9 p.m. July 20.

"Contemporary Reliquaries" is a modern interpretation of medieval receptacles designed for the containment of objects or relics associated with Jesus, the Virgin Mary and the bodily remains of saints. Curator Jason Lanegan presents eight artists' versions of reliquaries, from the humorous to serious. Each artist displays objects that they view as emblematic of modern-day society.

"MARS Prints" features works from the print series of MARS Artspace in Phoenix. Presented by guest curator Ty Miller, the exhibit highlights Chicano artists and their culture through hand-pulled color lithographs. MARS Artspace, a cooperative that closed in 2002 after 21 years, endeavored to bring Mexican-American artwork to the attention of the public.

"Blood Brothers," an exhibit by Utah artist David Gianfredi, explores the symbolism and iconography of military organizations. Gianfredi portrays the tradition of war and the idea that war is not stranger-killing-stranger but brother-killing-brother.

"MARS Prints" and "Blood Brothers" will continue through Sept. 7. "Contemporary Reliquaries" will close Oct. 20.

The NAU Art Museum is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For information call 523-3471 or visit www.nau.edu/artmuseum.