Weaving a foundation: cornerstones of the Textile Arts Collection features 60 objects from the museum’s collection, two-thirds of which have never been shown.

Throughout the Denver Art Museum’s history, textile arts have played a fundamental role in the development of its collecting philosophies and exhibition programs. The first textile entered the museum almost 100 years ago, and since that time, textile arts have been regular additions to the collection. Among the handful of early patrons, the Douglas Family of Evergreen, Colorado, emerged as the most steadfast donors of textiles. This exhibition highlights a selection of the family’s donations that demonstrates their celebration of traditional and living cultures and the value of exhibiting them together.

Though the Douglas family’s commitment to the Native arts of North America is well documented, this exhibition reveals their interest in diverse world cultures and textile traditions. The eclectic presentation features textiles from Indigenous traditions across the world, including regions of the American Southwest and Mexico; India and Pakistan; and the Indonesian islands of Bali, Java, and Sumatra.