Wonders on Wheels Mobile Museum. Courtesy/NMDCA
NMDCA News:
SANTA FE — In honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Wonders on Wheels Mobile Museum, a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, is traveling a new exhibit, “The Arts of Democracy in New Mexico” beginning this spring.
The all-ages exhibit on the Wonders on Wheels (WoW) RV, highlights ideals of freedom and self-government embedded in the Declaration and traces the development of those same ideals in New Mexico, showing how they have been expressed in art forms such as textiles, print media, political cartoons, protest buttons, and zines.
“We are very excited to invite all New Mexicans into a statewide conversation about democracy and common values,” program supervisor, Jennifer Hasty said. “The exhibition shows the proud New Mexican tradition of democracy and gives people the opportunity to express their own perspectives.”
As part of the larger state commemoration of the Declaration of Independence this year, the exhibition is aimed at including all New Mexicans in the celebration of democratic forms in New Mexico’s diverse communities and common cultural heritage.
Onboard the RV, visitors can touch and handle a wide variety of objects created by New Mexicans to express their political perspectives. Visitors can use a nib pen to compose a “declaration” on parchment paper using 18th century writing style. They can handle coin replicas and a military shield. They can also explore the modern arts of democracy by operating a printing press, making a zine, or “voting” by using a ranked choice voting simulator.
The WoW is a specially retrofitted 38-foot RV featuring 300 square feet of arts, culture, history, and science exhibits and curriculum-based programming. The WoW team serves all 33 counties in New Mexico annually, traveling around to fairs, festivals, public libraries, and schools, touring the exhibit, and leading hands-on educational activities that tie directly to the exhibit topics.
To schedule a WoW visit to your school, community library, or special community event, please contact Jennifer Hasty at jennifer.hasty@dca.nm.gov or 505.487.3620.
About New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs
Created in 1978 by the New Mexico Legislature, the Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) is New Mexico’s cultural steward, charged with preserving and showcasing the state’s cultural riches. With its eight museums, eight historic sites, arts, archaeology, historic preservation, and library programs, NMDCA is one of the largest and most diverse state cultural agencies in the nation. Together, the facilities, programs, and services of the Department support a $5.6 billion cultural industry in New Mexico.