Tamburitzan Costume Exhibit Opens September 26

SALISBURY, MD---Featuring intricately embroidered textiles and dazzling accessories, some of the world’s most colorful costumes from the Duquesne University Tamburitzan Cultural Center are on display Friday, September 26-Saturday, October 25, at Salisbury University’s Atrium Gallery.

The Tamburitzans possess one of the most extensive collections of Eastern European costumes and accessories in the Western Hemisphere.

Chosen by the Tamburitzans’ Costume/Resource Supervisor Susan Stafura, the costumes and accessories are just part of the Duquesne center’s collection of more than 8,000 authentic pieces of eastern European culture. Countries represented include Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Ukraine.

“The costumes are almost all handmade with heavy embroidering,” said Joann Choich, a Salisbury resident and former Tamburitzan. “Each country has different villages. Each village might have different styles of clothing. It’s very colorful.”

The collection includes one of the world’s finest collections of museum-quality folk costumes, as well as an extensive library of rare books, multi-media recordings, music transcripts and other artifacts relating to folk culture.

The display opens with a reception from 6-8 p.m. Friday, September 26, as part of SU’s Eastern European Cultural Series. The Office of Cultural Affairs and Museum Programs and Student Organization for Activity Planning sponsor the exhibit.

Consultants for the exhibit include Agata Liszkowska, international student services coordinator, and Dr. Lisa Lantz, assistant professor of costume design at SU. Students Jennifer McColl and Tori Peddicord assist in the show’s installation.

The exhibit is free and the public is cordially invited. For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.>