The Beck Archives and Collections Exhibitions
Our curated exhibitions offer an immersive journey through history, art, and culture, reflecting on the depth of the collections. Each display is thoughtfully designed to engage the intellect and the senses, inviting visitors to explore narratives that resonate across time.
Discover past, present, and upcoming exhibitions that exemplify our commitment to preservation and scholarly excellence. We invite you to experience these unique presentations, where every object tells a story and every story enriches the cultural tapestry.
We Are Still Here: MiraCosta College, Oceanside, CA; October 8, 2025 - Nov 30, 2025
This exhibition, presented as part of MiraCosta College’s Indigenous Peoples Day Symposium, celebrates Indigenous presence, resilience, and creativity through a curated selection of artworks and cultural materials. We Are Still Here! affirms that Indigenous peoples are not remnants of the past but vibrant, contemporary nations and communities whose cultural expressions continue to shape and sustain the present.
The exhibit brings together historical artifacts, traditional craftsmanship, and contemporary art to highlight the ongoing dialogue between past and present. Each object and artwork serves as a vessel of memory, identity, and sovereignty, a testament to survival, adaptation, and the enduring power of Indigeneity.
Through this work, MiraCosta College and the Beck Archives and Collections reaffirm their commitment to recognizing Indigenous contributions, supporting Indigenous scholarship, and standing in solidarity with the communities whose histories and futures remain intertwined with this land.
Exhibit:
Navajo Blanket: c. 1860-1880, Once Known Weaver
Navajo Rug: Klagetoh; c. 1930, Once Known Weaver
Monochrome star, c. 2020; Virginia Tafoya
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Water is Life: MiraCosta College, Oceanside, CA; October 9, 2026 - November 30, 2026
This exhibition, presented in part with MiraCosta College’s Indigenous Peoples Day Symposium, celebrates Indigenous presence, resilience, and creativity through a curated selection of artworks and cultural materials that embody water. Water is Life affirms Indigenous peoples’ sacred bonds with Earth, contemporary nations and communities whose cultural expressions continue to shape and sustain the present. Water is Life embodies water through forms of Indigenous art.
The exhibit brings together historical artifacts, traditional craftsmanship, and contemporary art to highlight the ongoing dialogue between the past and present. Each object serves as a vessel of memory, identity, sovereignty, and a testament to survival, adaptation, and reverence for water.
This exhibition was developed with respect for cultural protocol and community consultation, ensuring that representation aligns with the values and voices of the peoples and traditions being honored. It seeks to create a space for reflection, education, and connection while inviting students, faculty, and visitors to engage with Indigenous perspectives on art, land, and resources.
Through this work, MiraCosta College and Beck Archives and Collections reaffirm their commitment to recognizing Indigenous contributions, supporting Indigenous scholarship, and standing in solidarity with the communities whose histories and futures remain intertwined with land and water.
Exhibit:
I. Polychrome Bowl, c. 1950, Rena Leslie of Polacca
II. Coral Ring, 1982, Charles Loloma of Holtevilla
III. Navajo Dress Halves (pair), c. 1860s, Once Known Weaver
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