UNIVERSITY MUSEUM EMBRACES DOLLS

Dolls with international, toy, historical and artistic significance will be displayed when the Southeast Missouri State University Museum

opens its doll exhibit Dec. 6.

The opening reception is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. in the University Museum Gallery.

The exhibit will remain on display through Dec. 23 and will reopen from Jan. 4-28. The

museum will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 3 for the holidays. Weekday hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

The exhibit will be divided into three sections, with each area of the gallery displaying

different types of dolls. The museum's permanent collection contains about 85 dolls

donated in 1980 by Marie Friant, formerly of Cape Girardeau. Friends of the museum also

have donated dolls for the exhibit.

Margaret Sterling, a Southeast American studies student, has acted as researcher and

assistant curator for the exhibit.

Museum officials categorize dolls as toys, history, collectors

' treasures, tourist mementos and art.

Through the years they have been fashioned from the

simplest and most sophisticated materials by people around the globe. Dolls have been

found in ancient Egyptian tombs, and have persisted as revealing reflections of different

cultures throughout history.

Adults and children both treasure dolls as small human effigies to be cared for and

displayed. Dolls are invested with a personality by their makers and owners, museum officials say, and reflect the individuals who made them and the ideas of their culture.

Parking for those planning to view the exhibit is reserved for visitors in front of

Memorial Hall on the circle drive. Call the University Museum at 651-2260 for more

information or to arrange a tour

.