Roland's Relics to open at ASU Museum Dec. 5: Exhibit features local folk art

Dec. 1, 2004-- The Museum at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro will host a new exhibition, Rowland’s Relics, beginning Sunday, Dec. 5.
 
The exhibition consists of 36 pieces of stone sculptures depicting people and animals created by Jonesboro resident Dentler Rowland during the 1920s.

In 1924, Rowland and George McAtee claimed they had found stone sculptures from a lost civilization. From 1924 until 1942, letters and specimens from multiple people were sent to the Smithsonian to authenticate the relics as prehistoric. The Smithsonian staff did not authenticate the works, because they did not believe the specimens were made by prehistoric Indians. 

In spite of the lack of authenticity, people and museums bought the work. Today, museum specialists consider the pieces folk art. “They are not perceived as fakes because they do not copy archeological artifacts. For some people, this piece of local history is better off forgotten, while others find the tale fascinating and intriguing. Either way, it is a colorful part of this community’s history,” according to a museum spokesman.

Rowland’s Relics is located in the main gallery of the museum and it continues through Feb. 27, 2005.  The public is invited to the exhibition.  Admission is a suggested donation of $2 per person.  Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 1 - 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.  For more information, call the ASU Museum at (870) 972-2074.