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More Maya In Dallas, Texas
posted (February 13, 2017)
Last week we gave you previews of the archaeological exhibit that's opened up in Dallas, Texas. Tonight, we have part one of our in depth look at the show which is making its sixth stop in a major US city. So far it has been to Minnesota, Denver, Boston, San Diego, San Antonio and now its in Dallas. It's news locally because the majority of the 250 pieces on display are from Belize, and it is the biggest showcase ever for Belize antiquities. Add to that the fact that well over a million people have seen the exhibit so far, and you'll understand why it's a big deal. Jules Vasquez reports from Dallas:...

Jules Vasquez reporting
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science in downtown Dallas - it's a mammoth, breathtaking structure, a sprawling 180 thousand square feet and for the next 6 months 10 thousand of those square feet will be dedicated to the Maya.

The Show called "Maya Hidden Worlds Revealed" is making it's 6th stop here and this may be the most enthusiastic reception yet.

Eveline Kuchmak, Manager of Temporary Exhibitions at Perot Museum of Nature and Science
"We have never had so much enthusiasm and excitement in the museum. Everybody: volunteers, staff, everyone is just so excited. Not only for the content of the exhibit but also the inter actives and the artifacts. Wow. Amazing!"

Sherilynne Jones, Tech Director - Museum of Belize
"You know each venue is different. I think each venue has its own characteristics. iI really like the Perot museum, its space that it is in, there's a good flow."

Those who got to preview the show at its advanced opening were sufficiently impressed

Dani Lindsey, Exhibit-Goer
"We think it's great. We wanted to know more about the Mayan culture, and this is such an extensive exhibit. We can learn everything from the clothing they used to the pottery they used, to, about their religion, their architecture, oh the architecture was amazing!"

Jackie Spivey, Exhibit-Goer
"We're really impressed the kids have loved it, they've loved being able to see not only all the different things that have been brought in, they've especially been impressed with all of the larger structures and all of the hands on stuff for all of the kids to play with."

Megan Horne, Exhibit-Goer
"It's been really amazing. It was our first time being able to come and do this and the kids have had so much fun trying to build replicas of things and getting to play some of the instruments and they've had a really great time. It's been pretty amazing seeing all of this stuff."

Ellis Cottingham, Exhibit-Goer
"So far it's pretty cool. I'm just kind taking it all in, you know. Just try and learn some different cultures and some things about ancient Mayan."

Laurie
"Oh it's beautiful. Very interesting. Just very interesting about all the language and the different images. That's very interesting."

Kim
"And it's good schooling for her too civilization there."

Amanda Patterson, Perot Museum "Braniac"
"And we love seeing their art and seeing their culture and seeing like how did they see the world but we also like having their words and hearing from them, what did this mean."

Indeed the show tries to make many connections - maybe even more so at Dallas - where elements of the Mesoamerican culture are already ingrained into mainstream culture through the Mexican influence - right down to the handmade corn tortillas, even if they really could have used some Marie Sharps.

But all that stuff is extra. The main attraction is the about 250 artifacts and other interactive installations which tell the story of a great civilization and its living descendants:

Dr. David Stuart, archaeologist and epigrapher
"The material of his exhibit, the artifacts, yeah they might seem like ancient things, and maybe, you know, there are so much more than just dusty artifacts, right? They are about a people who lived thousands of years ago but their descendants are still with us, 5 to 6 million speakers of Mayan languages live today."

RICARDO ALARCON, Grupo Pacal
"Because they will get a different perspective about how to think about the Mayans, you know. It's just we bring something that is beautiful and you see the art, you see this exhibit."

Sherilynne Jones, Tech Director - Museum of Belize
"When we started this exhibition was 17 thousand square feet, it is now reduced to ten thousand square feet, but none of the objects inside the show have been removed, so there's just certain components that have been merged and made smaller."

And the Perot Museum went out of its way to accommodate this large show.

Eveline Kuchmak, Manager of Temporary Exhibitions at Perot Museum of Nature and Science
"This is our first ten thousand square foot exhibit, so generally we just keep our exhibits in this main hall but this is the first time we have extended the space into the auditorium. It's just our biggest shows so it took some took some doing (giggles)."

More than a hundred thousand persons are expected to view the show over the next six months - and what they will see is predominantly from Belize - like this Buena Vista vase:

Paul Martin, Senior Vice President, Science Museum of Minnesota
"We're touring the cultural heritage of Belize in this exhibition in this exhibition."

Sherilynne Jones, Tech Director - Museum of Belize
"It is something that we insisted when we renegotiated the contracts with the science museum that our pieces, you know, take precedence. The fact that we have a stela, a representation of the frieze from Xunantunich that's in your face and in colour, I think that really takes the visitor to Belize."

And, ultimately, the hope is that some of these visitors will actually visit Belize:

Alexis Salazar, Director - Museum of Belize
"So hopefully when people come to this museum they see what we have in our jungles and they want to come and explore."

Tune in tomorrow night when we'll have part two as we'll talk to all those Belizeans who went to see the show on opening night. You'll be surprised at the diversity of reactions to the show - not everyone was thrilled about it.

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