Skip to main content
Intellect

New BYU exhibit, "Entwined," looks at ancient Mayan textiles

The ancient art of weaving is unraveled at Brigham Young University’s Museum of Peoples and Cultures with its newest exhibit, “Entwined: A Vibrant Heritage of the Modern Maya.”

“Entwined”demonstrates how past traditions are still a part of the modern Mayan world. The exhibition aims to showcase modern Mayan textiles as an art, according to Anna McKean, promotions director for the museum. The items found throughout the exhibition emphasize the creative process involved in textile creation, including technology, she said.

“Ultimately, ‘Entwined’will help visitors to gain an awareness of cultural connections within the Mayan community as well as an appreciation of contemporary Mayan culture,” McKean said. 

The majority of the art in the exhibit features clothing, but there are also many examples of Mayan dolls and purses. The display shows how the textiles are woven, why they are made and what significance they have. 

“The beauty of this exhibit is that it shows just how much a vibrant piece of fabric can tell about an individual,” McKean said. “Individuality is expressed by those who make and by those who wear these textiles.”

Behind the scenes, BYU graduate students have been working for the past two semesters to bring “Entwined” together. Each exhibition at the museum is created and designed by students. As part of their coursework, five students have been carefully crafting what will soon be on display.

“The Guatemalan textiles in the exhibition come from several large textile collections,” said Jessica Corbett, one of the graduate students curating the exhibit. “The pieces we've chosen are very colorful and have bright, intricate designs. They are also woven by hand, which makes them all the more impressive.”

Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. For more information, visit mpc.byu.edu or contact Anna McKean at (801) 422-1414 or mpc@byu.edu.

Follow BYU events on Twitter: @BYUcalendar.

Writer: Anna McKean

Related Articles

data-content-type="article"

Wildflowers not wildfires: How BYU and Provo City are helping to restore Rock Canyon Trailhead

July 10, 2025
At Rock Canyon Trailhead in Provo, Utah, BYU researchers are fighting fires with flowers. By replacing a problematic weed called cheatgrass with wildflowers, students and faculty are working to protect and restore one of Provo’s most popular hiking spots.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Wildfires in residential areas are on the rise; why hydrants and the water system behind them were never meant to stop those fires

July 01, 2025
BYU professor Rob Sowby teaches and studies environmental engineering, urban water infrastructure and sustainability. He has particular expertise in the planning, design, construction and operation of public water systems. That expertise has been increasingly important (and regularly sought out) in the wake of apocalyptic wildfires that have taxed those public water systems.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Meet the BYU math student helping make wildfire predictions faster and smarter

June 25, 2025
Using machine learning and math, a BYU student improved a key tool firefighters rely on during wildfire season
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText=