Two New Student-Curated Exhibits Open at USU Museum of Anthropology

LOGAN, Utah — The Utah State University Museum of Anthropology is celebrating two new student-curated exhibitions: “Japanese Fine Arts and Fashion,” curated by Morgan Meyers, and “Global Games: The Cross-Cultural Creation of Competition,” curated by Benji Fowler-Merrell. Together, they showcase global cultural perspectives and the hands-on professional training central to the museum’s mission.

The Museum of Anthropology serves as both an educational resource for the USU and Cache Valley communities and a professional training ground for students in anthropology and museum studies. All exhibits are conceived and constructed by USU students, providing real-world experience in research, design, interpretation and public engagement.

“Japanese Fine Arts and Fashion” examines the interconnectedness of artistic expression and clothing traditions in Japan, with special attention to the Edo period and its growing creative culture. The exhibit highlights how fine arts, craftsmanship, and fashion influenced one another and shaped social identity.

“I talk a lot about the Edo period, because it was sort of a renaissance in a way,” Meyers said. “A real flourishing of the arts. People had the time to develop their sense of fashion, and artisans were able to create so much. They became very successful because people were patronizing their work. It’s really about the connection between historical fashion and fine arts in general.”

Meyers, a senior majoring in fine arts with an emphasis in drawing and painting and minoring in art history, also planned and executed an interactive workshop for First Saturdays at the Museum with activities such as origami, calligraphy demonstrations, embroidery and printmaking, designed especially to engage younger visitors and families.

“I think having a space for kids to do something tactile while also learning about a culture that’s so far from Logan, Utah, is really important,” Meyers said.

Through curating this exhibit, Meyers said she developed communication and design skills that strengthened her interest in museum curation as a potential career path.

Benji Fowler-Merrell’s “Global Games” exhibition invites visitors to explore how play and competition have existed across cultures and throughout history. Featuring recreations of ancient board games and interactive stations, the exhibit encourages visitors not only to observe but to participate.

The museum’s March First Saturdays at the Museum event will further highlight the “Global Games” exhibition with additional interactive activities for visitors.

“People from all over the world, for as long as we have history for, wanted to play and compete with each other,” Fowler-Merrell said. “This exhibit highlights that people love to play and compete with each other.”

Fowler-Merrell’s design, informed by his engineering major and hands-on fabrication experience, shaped the exhibit’s construction and overall presentation. He credits the project with refining his graphic design abilities and reinforcing his interest in creating interactive, user-centered experiences.

“Through making this exhibit, I realized this is what I want to do,” said Fowler-Merrell. “I was able to see that it’s something I can do, it’s possible, and it was a lot of fun. The design experience I gained from this project, along with my engineering background, will help me move toward the goals I want to pursue.”

Museum Director Molly Cannon expressed pride in the students’ work, emphasizing the professional skills and confidence they develop through the museum’s hands-on learning environment.

“The Museum of Anthropology centers student work,” Cannon said. “We operate as a laboratory for students to gain experience working with museum collections. As a mentor, I am energized by the creativity that students bring to their work and strive to match their enthusiasm by designing engaging experiential learning opportunities. The museum maintains its unique role on campus because of the dedication of our students and their passion to cultural education through museum exhibitions.”

For more information about the Museum of Anthropology, visit the website. To stay up to date with events at the museum, follow @usu_moa on Instagram.