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OMCA Opens Exhibition Exploring Contemporary California Topics in Collaboration with California State University

(Oakland, CA) May 2, 2013The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) announces a new exhibition, Hard Times in the OC, co-curated with faculty and students of California State University (CSU) Fullerton. On view in the Gallery of California History from May 18, 2013 to April 27, 2014, the installation is the second in the series What’s Happening, California?, a partnership with CSU exploring topics affecting communities throughout the state.

Led by OMCA Associate Curator of Contemporary History & Trends Suzanne Fischer and CSU Fullerton history professor Dr. Benjamin Cawthra, Hard Times in the OC represents the work of students in Cawthra’s  Introduction to Public History” and “Practicum in Public History” classes, and focuses on the effects of the recession in Orange County. Featuring content developed by students, the exhibition’s theme is presented through artifacts that include protest puppets, tools of laid-off workers, and interviews conducted through the Center for Oral and Public History at Fullerton.