MELBOURNE, FLORIDA.- The Brevard Museum of Art and Science presents the exhibit Embroidery and Ikat: Central Asian Textiles from the Ruth Funk Collection of Florida Tech through October 29. This exhibition features a variety of garments and accessories woven and embellished by the Uzbek and Turkmen tribes of Central Asia from the 19th and 20th centuries: robes, headdresses, hats, boots, and bags exuberantly decorated with traditional embroidery and made from the colorful and boldly patterned fabric known as ikat. The majority of these objects are from the Ruth Funk Collection of Textiles, recently donated to the Florida Institute of Technology.

The wide variety of objects on display highlights the prominent role played by decorative textiles by the Uzbek and Turkmen tribes and also reveals the symbolic and social significance placed on dress and traditional design by these ancient Central Asian cultures.

The Brevard Museum of Art and Science features exhibitions by internationally and nationally known artists as well as Florida artists representing a variety of styles, periods, and media.

The Museum's multiple gallery spaces allow for simultaneous exhibitions or the showcasing of a spectacular work, an individual artist or a special theme exhibition. The Art Museum presents eight to ten exhibitions per year. Many of the exhibitions come from private and public collections or corporate collections. Many exhibitions are curated in-house to better serve the needs and interests of our visiting public. Visits to the exhibitions are enhanced by gallery videos, Gallery Guides and publications, and docent led tours.

Collections at the Art Museum include contemporary works by many American artists including the stunning kinetic work of Lin Emery, playful color collages of Miriam Schapiro, the architechtonic nostalgic assemblage of Louise Nevelson and George Snyder's patterned tubular structures.

A survey of many cultures can also be found in the collections through Japanese vases, Egyptian statuettes, African and Burmese masks, Tibetan costumes, and Chinese porcelain.

While at the Museum complex explore the historic area in the Museum neighborhood. A walking tour includes antique shops, bookstores, music shops, a coffee house, restaurants, and a fishing pier. Across the street on the Indian River is Pineapple Park with picnic and playground facilities and the Eau Gallie Library.

The Science Center was added to the Museum program in 1995. Adjacent to the Foosaner Educational Wing, the Science Center offers over 30 hands-on interactive exhibits focusing on the physical sciences.