New ITC exhibit explores spirituality, ancient worldview

(Nov. 5, 2003)--Travel through a cave and experience the spirituality and worldview of the ancients at "Creation and Cosmos: American Indian Spirituality," an exhibit including PreColombian pottery artifacts from the Red McCombs Collection, at UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC) beginning Nov. 6.

Visitors will view vessels from the Caddo tribe and a tree of life in a specially constructed cave, listen to creation stories and hear the ancient spirits at play. Activities for children are scheduled in conjunction with the exhibit.

"This exhibit provides clues to help us understand everyday lives millennia ago," said ITC archaeologist Shirley Boteler Mock. "Despite the fact that many American Indians today no longer make ceramic vessels, traditional concepts of the cosmos continue to influence their customs, religion and art."

In conjunction with the exhibit, ITC will present "Taysha, Tejas, Texas - History Entwined," featuring presentations about the Caddo Indians.

Writer Cecile Elkins Carter, a spokesperson for the Caddo Nation in Oklahoma, and Doyle Edge, a spiritual leader and keeper of traditions, will speak from 2 to 3 p.m., Nov. 6 at the institute.

Carter, author of "Caddo Indians: Where We Come From," will speak about her people and the their role in Texas history.

Edge will discuss Caddo religion and historical and contemporary customs.

Admission is $6.50, adults; $3, children (3-12 years); $4, seniors (65 years or older); $4, military personnel with ID; and free, members, UTSA students and employees and children 2 years and under.

Institute of Texan Cultures hours are Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

For more information, call 210-458-2330.

The exhibit also was made possible by a generous contribution from Nancy and Tom Loeffler.

--Tina Luther