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A gallery talk introduces Milestones, an exhibition of Indigenous art drawn from a gift that will help shape the museum’s collection.
All times are local to the venue · America/Phoenix
A collection assembled over decades is the starting point for Heard Museum Chief Curator Diana Pardue’s talk on Milestones: The Hope & John L. Furth Collection. On December 1, 2026, Pardue will explore the exhibition and stories behind its works in the Kitchell Gallery.
Hope and John Furth began collecting Native arts after moving to Carefree, Arizona, in 1995. Their donation to the Heard is the subject of the first in a series of exhibitions recognizing major gifts as the museum approaches its centennial.
Milestones brings together selections from the collection across media including pottery, sculpture, textiles, baskets and beadwork. The works span the 19th century to the present, placing historical pieces alongside work by contemporary artists. Pardue’s talk offers an introduction to the exhibition as well as the role a gift like this can play in a museum collection.
Further reading: Curator Talk - December 1, 2026 | Milestones: The Hope & John L. Furth Collection - Heard MuseumArtboard ↗ · Milestones: The Hope & John L. Furth Collection - Heard Museum ↗
The museum’s featured works suggest some of the range visitors can explore: Kevin Aspaas’s 2017 Wedge Weave is made with handspun, hand-dyed wool, while Sǫhahiyǫh/Richard Zane Smith’s The Human Being as a Target is a 1994 ceramic work. Aspaas is Diné; Smith is Wyandot.
An 1890s pictorial vest credited to Artist Once Known (Sioux) combines hide, glass beads and sinew with a commercial cotton lining. The museum does not specify which individual works Pardue will discuss, so these are starting points for looking at the exhibition rather than a promised talk itinerary.
Further reading: Milestones: The Hope & John L. Furth Collection - Heard Museum ↗ · Curator Talk - December 1, 2026 | Milestones: The Hope & John L. Furth Collection - Heard MuseumArtboard ↗
The exhibition is scheduled to open November 20, shortly before the talk. Museum tickets include the galleries and exhibitions, making it practical to allow time to look through Milestones independently as well as hear Pardue’s introduction.
Further reading: Milestones: The Hope & John L. Furth Collection - Heard Museum ↗ · Tickets | Heard Museum ↗
Pardue’s gallery talk focuses on the exhibition and the stories connected to its works.
Meet at the Info Desk for the half-hour talk in the Kitchell Gallery. The desk is just past the Admissions Lobby.
Curator Talk - December 1, 2026 | Milestones: The Hope & John L. Furth Collection - Heard MuseumArtboard ↗ · Plan Your Visit | Heard Museum - Phoenix, ArizonaArtboard ↗
Museum tickets can be purchased online in advance. The museum does not specify whether a separate reservation is needed for the talk; check with the museum if that affects your plans.
Curator Talk - December 1, 2026 | Milestones: The Hope & John L. Furth Collection - Heard MuseumArtboard ↗ · Plan Your Visit | Heard Museum - Phoenix, ArizonaArtboard ↗
The Heard Museum is at 2301 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004, at Encanto Boulevard. The museum offers free on-site parking; designated accessible parking is in the east lot.
Valley Metro light rail serves the Encanto/Central stop at the museum entrance. For rideshare pickup or drop-off, the museum designates the curved area behind the building near the Courtyard Café.
Plan Your Visit | Heard Museum - Phoenix, ArizonaArtboard ↗ · FAQ | Heard Museum ↗
December 1, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to noon.
The talk is included with museum admission. The museum does not specify whether a separate reservation is required; contact it if you need to confirm.
Yes. Milestones is scheduled to open November 20, and museum admission includes the galleries and exhibitions.
Milestones: The Hope & John L. Furth Collection - Heard Museum ↗ · Tickets | Heard Museum ↗
The museum welcomes children of all ages. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
2301 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.
Images from the linked sources. Each caption identifies the context of the image.
Event, planning and background information checked 2026-10-29 against the linked sources.