Whaling Exhibit

“Basque Whaling: Danger and Daring on a Distant Shore,” a new exhibit currently under construction at the Basque Museum and Cultural Center, will be unveiled at a premier fundraising gala on July 26. Tickets to the event are $100 per person and are limited to the first 100 people. The museum is located at 611 W. Grove, Boise.

The exhibit will open to the general public on July 27 at 10:00 am.

The new exhibit tells the story of ancient whalers from the Basque homeland, Euskal Herria, in Spain and France who sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to hunt whales off the eastern coast of Canada in the 1500s. Because many people associate Basques with sheepherding, the history of shipbuilding and sailing may surprise many people.

Reproductions of 16th century whaling artifacts are being handcrafted for the exhibit by local, national and international artisans and volunteers. Whaling harpoons, whale oil lanterns, a 12-foot whale tail, period clothing and the bow of a 27-foot txalupa (whaling boat), are all being designed based on ancient discoveries made at archaeological sites.

Idaho artisans working on the project include a blacksmith, a weaver, a wood turner, seamstresses, a sculptor and a boat builder. Other artisans are a shoemaker and an hourglass maker in Illinois, a goldsmith in England and barrel makers in Nova Scotia.

The exhibit will include photos of actual sunken artifacts, paintings and wall-size murals of whaling scenes, and a mural of a Right whale which is being painted by Basque Museum curator and exhibit designer Loni Manning. There also will be an interactive area where children can learn to tie sailor’s knots.
The premier gala opening will include guided tours of the exhibit, a chance to talk with the artisans, historical information on Basque whaling, and Basque foods, music and libations. Reservations can be made by calling the Basque Museum and Cultural Center at (208) 343-2671. Again, the exhibit will open to the public at 10:00 a.m. on July 27.

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click here for the Whaling Exhibit Promotional Flyer

For More Information: http://basquemuseum.com/documents/BMCC_WhalingPoster.pdf

Contact: Basque Museum and Cultural Center (208-343-2671)