CORAL GABLES, FL.- Arctic Spirit: Inuit Art from the Albrecht Collection at the Heard Museum, on view at the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami, from February 10 to April 1, 2007, reveals the Canadian Inuit culture’s rich artistic history.

The Inuit, commonly known as Eskimos, include the indigenous peoples from Siberia , Alaska , Greenland , and the Canadian Arctic. Arctic Spirit showcases the distinct artistic styles of the Canadian Inuit, offering a rare opportunity to view the artwork, decorated pieces, and functional items.

The exhibition presents some 150 artworks that span 2,250 years of artistic creativity, from 250 B.C. to the 21st century. Subjects like family and camp scenes, animals and nature, legends and spirituality, and the Inuit relationship with the Arctic environment are represented in many varied mediums, including wall hangings, prints, drawings, sculptures, carved ivories, masks, and decorated clothing from 30 different villages in Canada’s north.

Arctic Spirit complements selections from the Lowe’s extensive collection of Native American and Northwest Coast Art, on view all year round in the Barton Gallery, as well as Art of the People, currently on view in the Matus Focus Gallery, which features a selection of Inuit sculpture and works on paper drawn from the Lowe’s own Inuit holdings.

Arctic Spirit is curated by Ingo Hessel who has researched Inuit art extensively for over 20 years. Dr. Hessel will give a lecture at the Lowe on Friday, February 9, 2007 at 7 pm. Special Educational Programs include a Teacher Institute on February 17, and Art Adventures, docent led tours, March 11 and 25.

Arctic Spirit: Inuit Art from the Albrecht Collection at the Heard Museum is organized by the Heard Museum and is a Program of ExhibitsUSA, a national division of Mid-America Arts Alliance and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Lowe Art Museum is located at the University of Miami at 1301 Stanford Drive , Coral Gables . Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 12 to 7 p.m. Thursdays and 12 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $7.00, free to members, University of Miami students, faculty and staff, and children under 12. For more information, call (305) 284-3535 or visit www.lowemuseum.org.