What’s Inside? is an extension of her endeavor to explore concepts of art, history, and the feminine at ESSE – the only purse museum in the United States and one of only three in the world.Īt 7pm at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater, Elliot Ackerman & Charmaine Craig participate in a discussion entitled, The Human Element of War. She has a talent for finding valuables (“They’re valuable to me!”) in unexpected places and has led the revitalization of Little Rock’s SoMa neighborhood, where ESSE Purse Museum & Store is located. Her varied life experience includes owning a mail-order catalog called Pure and Simple in the 1980s and co-owning Vagabonds coffee house and vintage store in the 1990s. The author of What’s Inside?: A Century of Women and Handbags, 1900–1999, she is a native Arkansan and lifelong collector who loves outsider art, Gladys Knight, dream work, her two daughters, and learning about the mysteries of life. Tonight at 6pm at the ESSE Purse Museum a program will feature Anita Davis, the museum’s founder. Both successful presenters are originally from the Natural State. Students meet Miami-based author Laurie Friedman, Mallory McDonald, Super Sitter and Can You Say Catastrophe? and Nashville-based illustrator, Higgins Bond, A Place for Turtles and Lorraine: The Girl Who Sang the Storm Away. Though there have been a few events earlier, today (April 25) offers several events to kick off the 2019 Arkansas Literary Festival.ĭuring the day at the Clinton Presidential Center and also the Museum of Discovery is a Day of Science and Reading. Regular museum admission ($10, $8 seniors, students, and military) includes the special exhibit. The artifacts on display are on loan from the GSUSA, GS – Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, ESSE Purse Museum, and from the personal collections of Kathleen Pate and Marsha Stone. The remarkable history of the Girl Scouts is presented alongside a unique perspective of women’s history. The courage, confidence, and character that are synonymous with these young woman is seen through the handbags, uniforms, and objects on display. Many would claim that cookies are the first thing that comes to mind when speaking of the Girl Scouts.
With her creativity and tenacity Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts, was able to foresee what girls and woman are capable of with the guidance and support of this organization. This show spans from the 1930s to the present.
FREE admission to the museum and refreshments will be provided. This Friday, June 7th, from 4-8 pm ESSE Purse Museum will host a reception for our newest temporary exhibit, Purses with Purpose: Girl Scouts through the decades.