The Office of Exhibits Central is collaborating with the National Museum of Natural History‘s Department of Exhibits to produce a temporary show tentatively called Going to Sea. This exhibition will open next fall in conjunction with NMNH’s new Ocean Hall, and will be on display for approximately 18 months. Like all exhibitions, this one presents …
Busy, Busy, Busy
There are so many things happening in the shops right now that it is difficult to write about just one project! Instead, I have posted some new pictures in the photo album for your enjoyment. A team from the Fabrication and Model Shops have been installing the tri-motor airplane vignette for the new America by …
Giant Crab Invades OEC!
Earlier this month, a Giant Japanese spider crab (Macrochera kaempferi) was donated to OEC by Izu Chuo Aqua Trading Co.,Ltd. OEC modelmaker Vince Rossi was searching for a large, intact specimen to use as a model for making a reproduction to hang in the National Museum of Natural History’s new Ocean Hall, which opens next …
New Harmonies Ships Out
Last Tuesday, staff from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), Museum on Main Street (MoMS), the Federation of State Humanities Councils, and OEC gathered along with other guests to celebrate the completion and shipping of the last of 5 copies of New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music for their tours in Idaho, Mississippi, Illinois, …
Ready For Our Close-Up
A film crew from Team Productions was at OEC today filming staff in action on various projects for Smithsonian Spotlight, a new 30-minute magazine format show on Smithsonian Network On Demand. The series will premier early next month and be available “on demand” to customers with cable companies that carry the network. The episode featuring …
OEC Goes to Sea
The Office of Exhibits Central is partnering with the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) on a temporary gallery to open in conjunction with the new Ocean permanent gallery set to open in late 2008. Currently we are in the consultation and early design phase of the project. OEC designer Lynn Kawaratani has created an …
Exit Saigon Gala Opening
The Exit Saigon, Enter Little Saigon exhibition opened January 19, 2007 at the Smithsonian S. Dillon Ripley Center, Concourse Gallery. This exhibit, the first Vietnamese American historical exhibit at the Smithsonian, tells the story of the Vietnamese American experience in America, from the significant influx in 1975 to the present. By showcasing themes of challenges, …
Bringing the Country to New Harmonies
Work continues on the Museum on Main Street (MoMS) exhibit New Harmonies. The OEC Fabrication shop is currently working on the components for the kiosk featuring country music. There are many design features that make this kiosk visually interesting for visitors, and technically challenging for OEC staff. Our staff had to get creative in designing …
Orchids Gone Wild!
OEC began working on Orchids: Take a Walk on the Wild Side with the Smithsonian Horticulture Services Division in June 2005. Our Design and Editing department worked with staff from Horticulture Services and the Natural History Museum’s Botany Department to develop the script and design concept. Our Fabrication and Model Making shops built a walkway, …
Clash of Empires Opens
OEC’s Special Exhibitions Division (SED) opened Clash of Empires: The British, French and Indian War, 1754-1763 on December 15. Truly a collaborative effort, the exhibit was originally organized by the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center (a Smithsonian Affiliate), in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution and the Canadian War Museum/Museum of Civilization. The exhibit …