Majolica was introduced at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and quickly became ubiquitous in Victorian England and America, with works appearing in museum displays and royal palaces as well as in the homes of average citizens. As majolica retailed at a cheaper price than porcelain, it was available to a fairly broad range of society and, in Victorian homes, was commonly found in the conservatory or dining room, in the form of tureens and servers, jardinières, teapots, garden seats, plates, and decorative statues. Initially popular in England and the Continent, many British potters and craftspeople immigrating to North America contributed their knowledge and skill to the growing American pottery industry, leading to the large-scale production of majolica. When the lead glazes needed to achieve majolica's shine and vibrancy were outlawed as poisonous to workers, its production all but ceased. This exhibition helps tell the story of majolica and helps to restore its legacy to the history of design.

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Infrared imaging is a non-destructive technique used by art conservators to examine paintings and artworks and detect hidden details under the upper layers such as added paint, underdrawings, and hidden signatures or watermarks. The technique has been used to discover details of artists' creative processes, alterations and reworking. Infrared examination also can be used as a tool to differentiate between certain groups of pigments and inks.

This exhibition looks to engage patrons in a short history of art in the Cameroonian culture, while also looking at the symbolism of the female form across all ancient civilizations. With a twist of science, we'll take an in-depth look, utilizing computed tomography (CT) scans, to discover how our Cameroonian beaded Fertility Goddesses were constructed and gain a better understanding of their conservation needs. Come by and see What Lies Beneath the Beads…

The Gardens will offer children's storytime weekly on Tuesdays starting at 9:00 am, in June and July. Each session will feature 1-2 garden-themed books which have been nominated or have won a Growing Good Kids book award, followed by a small craft. This is a free program, but does not include parking. Those without a TAMU parking permit will need to pay to park in Lots 97 or 100c.  This series is recommended for ages 8 and under, but children of all ages, along with their guardians, are invited. Families are welcome to bring a blanket to sit on during storytime.