Programs & Events
Saturday, March 18, 10:30 am
Women on U.S. Coinage: The American Women Quarters Program with Chris Costello
Old Schwamb Mill, 17 Mill Lane, Arlington, MA 02476
$5 suggested donation
Join us for a fascinating talk with Dallin Museum Trustee and U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist Chris Costello, who will discuss his work for the American Women Quarters Program. Learn how his quarters honoring the Hispanic American suffragist Nina Otero-Warren and Afro-Indigenous aviator Bessie Coleman were developed and produced, and how the legacies of these remarkable women inspired the direction of his designs.
Co-sponsored by the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum and the Old Schwamb Mill. Refreshments will be served at 10:30 am. The talk will start at 11 am. For more info, contact hleavell@dallin.org.
About the American Women Quarters Program
This four-year program celebrates the contributions of trailblazing women in the United States. Beginning in 2022 and continuing through 2025, the U.S. Mint will issue up to five new reverse designs each year. The diverse group of honorees reflects a wide range of accomplishments and fields, including suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and the arts.
About Chris Costello
Chris Costello is a professional graphic artist, coin designer, illustrator, and typographer with proficiencies in traditional and digital media. He is a member of the Artistic Infusion Program of the United States Mint and is a coin designer for The Royal Mint. He is credited with designing over 25 coins and medals including the 2023 Bessie Coleman American Women Quarter, the 2022 Nina-Otero Warren American Women Quarter, the 2022 Negro Leagues Baseball Commemorative Half Dollar, 2021 Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site Quarter, the Mayflower 2020 Commemorative £2 Coin (UK), the 2014 Eleanor Roosevelt First Spouse Gold Coin, and the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Congressional Gold Medal.
Past Program Videos
Virtual Unveiling of Two Cyrus Dallin Paintings: Mrs. Hall’s Letter & Self Portrait
Aired November 16, 2021
Fans of Cyrus Dallin’s sculptural work may be surprised to learn that he was also an accomplished painter. Experience the unveiling of two recently acquired and restored paintings by the artist. Dallin Museum Director/Curator, Heather Leavell, discusses the fascinating history behind a rare 1884 oil portrait of Susan Frothingham Hall, in whose Charlestown, MA home Dallin lived during a crucial period of his early career. She also shares insights on Dallin’s 1915 self-portrait (the only two-dimensional likeness by the artist known to exist) and details of the painting restoration process. Leavell is joined by some key supporters who made these acquisitions possible: Jacqueline Dennis of Columbia, CA, a great grandniece of Cyrus Dallin, and Andrew and Irene Jay of Charlestown, MA.
The Dallin Museum is grateful to the Arlington Cultural Council and members of the Dallin family for funds to support the restoration of these paintings.
Honoring Indigenous Peoples Day: Ute Elder Forrest Cuch on History and Healing
Aired October 7, 2021
Forrest Cuch, Ute Tribal Elder and former Director of the Utah Division of Indian Affairs, discusses the history of oppression of the Utah Tribes within the context of the Doctrine of Discovery, a principle of international law that was used to justify centuries of colonial violence against Indigenous peoples. Cuch explores the still-present effects of this Doctrine and provide insight into a broad range of issues impacting Indigenous communities in the U.S. today. He also shares his thoughts on how to learn from the past and build a more just and equitable world for all.
This program builds on Cyrus Dallin’s lifelong commitment to listening to and learning from the Ute people, with whom established close relationships during his formative years in Utah Territory.
Cyrus Dallin’s Paul Revere: A 57 Year Quest to Raise Boston’s Most Iconic Monument
Aired April 7, 2021
Learn about the origins of this bronze statue, beloved by Bostonians and recognized around the world as an emblematic image of the city and spirit behind the War of Independence. Born on the Utah frontier, Cyrus Dallin was just twenty two years old and freshly arrived in Boston for artistic training when in 1883 he entered and won the City’s competition to honor Paul Revere’s legacy with a monument in Copley Square. It was not until 1940 – fifty seven years and seven versions of the statue later – that Dallin’s vision was realized in the North End’s Prado where it stands today. This program was jointly presented with the Paul Revere Memorial Association.
Sculpture in Service of Social Justice: Cyrus Dallin’s Tributes to this Land’s Indigenous Peoples
Aired February 16, 2021
Heather Leavell, Cyrus Dallin Art Museum Director and Curator, explores the history of Cyrus Dallin’s Menotomy Hunter, Massasoit Ousamequin, and Appeal to the Great Spirit in the context of the sculptor’s work as an Indigenous rights activist and educator. Learn how Dallin employed his position as an internationally acclaimed sculptor to advance Indigenous rights through humanizing portrayals of Indigenous peoples, extensive public education, and efforts to reform harmful federal vanishing policies. Leavell discusses Dallin’s close, collaborative relationships with Indigenous leaders and non-Native activists, and the positive impacts of their work together. She also shares what allies today might learn from Dallin’s example.
NewTV’s Museum Open House – Cyrus Dallin Art Museum
Aired October 26, 2020
The Dallin Museum was recently featured on Museum Open House, a show produced by NewTV (Newton, MA) that highlights outstanding museums and cultural organizations throughout the region. This episode features a behind-the-scenes tour spotlighting significant works in the collection, a brief illustrated history of Cyrus Dallin, and a discussion about the Museum’s founding and current activities.
Virtual Unveiling of Auvers-sur-Oise
Aired: Thursday, October 15, 2020
Experience the unveiling of a newly acquired and restored Cyrus Dallin painting from the comfort of your own home! The c. 1890 oil on canvas entitled Village Road, Auvers-sur-Oise, was given to the Museum as a long-term loan by Cyrus Dallin’s great granddaughter Patricia McCabe. Our virtual unveiling will feature an interview with Patricia, who will share some special family memories and anecdotes. Director Heather Leavell will discuss the restoration process, and Board Director Geri Tremblay will explore the reasons why such a celebrated sculptor would also love to paint.
We are grateful to Arlington Community Media, Inc. for assisting us in producing this program and to the Arlington Cultural Council for funds to support the restoration of Auvers-sur-Oise. The ACC is a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Menotomy Hunter and Native American Images: Virtual Forum and Discussion
Aired: Thursday, October 8, 2020
Against the backdrop of the national dialogue over Native American sports mascots, community members in Arlington have been questioning the appropriateness of using Cyrus Dallin’s Menotomy Hunter as a logo or mascot for town entities. This virtual forum will explore the history of the Hunter statue and associated imagery and center Indigenous perspectives on the appropriation of Native American imagery by non-Native groups. Organized by the Arlington Human Rights Commission in partnership with the Dallin Museum and Arlington Public Schools.
Panelists:
Faries Gray, Sagamore of the Massachusett Tribe of Ponkapoag
Danielle Kost, Resident and Algonquin tribe member
Kimberly Kost Okitsu, Resident and Algonquin tribe member
Heather Leavell, Director & Curator of the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum
Dr. Matthew Janger, AHS principal
Louisa Baldwin, AHS student