Celebrate Independence Day July 4, 2007

Celebrate Independence Day at the Eiteljorg, more

July will open with a bang at the Eiteljorg Museum . Museum admission is free from 10 am to 5 p.m. The museum’s gardens will stay open late for Canal Family Fest, sponsored by Delta Faucet Company. From 4:30 to 9 p.m., families can pan for gold, participate in leather stamping, storytelling and a buffalo chip toss, and enjoy live music with the Roundups. Then, enjoy a buffet in the Sky City Café and have the best seat along the Canal to view the city's fireworks display.

Eiteljorg’s Second Saturday Studio series also continues, with interactive programming the second Saturday of each month at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Saturday, July 14 features “Junk to Jewelry.” Guests will learn how to create jewelry from found objects. Saturday, August 11’s studio, “Fuzzy Art,” gives guests an opportunity to learn how to paint with wool.

Totems to Turquoise, Eiteljorg’s first major jewelry exhibit, continues through August 12. The exhibit, developed by the American Museum of Natural History in New York and sponsored locally by Lilly, features 500 pieces of historic and contemporary jewelry and artifacts from America ’s Southwest and Northwest Coast .

“I think the exhibit is incredible. If you haven’t visited yet, plan to, because this jewelry show is a must-see,” Hill said.

For a full listing of summer activities at Eiteljorg Museum , visit www.eiteljorg.org .

The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art seeks to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the art, history and cultures of the American West and the indigenous peoples of North America . The museum, which opened in 1989, is located in Downtown Indianapolis’ White River State Park . For general information about the museum and to learn more about exhibits and events, call (317) 636-WEST (9378) or visit www.eiteljorg.org .

Official Website: http://www.eiteljorg.org