Gold Fever: Glory and Greed in the Western Expansion Years

The Tucson Desert Art Museum is delighted to announce the opening of Gold Fever: Glory and Greed in the Western Expansion Years, an insightful exhibition set to debut on January 10, 2024. This thought-provoking showcase offers a comprehensive look into the California and Western gold rushes, illustrating not only the transformative impact of the pursuit of gold and glory on America but also the resulting moral corruption, as seen through the lens of the seven deadly sins.

Curated with exceptional care, Gold Fever presents a balanced narrative of the era's monumental impact, juxtaposing the economic success and transformation of the American West against the backdrop of the darker human impulses of greed, envy, pride, lust, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. The exhibition features rare artifacts, personal narratives, video, and artworks and mining artifacts from the Arizona Historical Society, each telling a part of this complex story.

Exhibition Highlights:

• The Seven Deadly Sins and the Gold Rush: A unique exploration of how the pursuit of wealth exacerbated human vices, leading to moral decay as seen in the excessive drinking and gambling culture, vigilante law, violence against minority communities, and most tragically, the California Native American genocide.

• Archival Photography, Illustrations and Painting: An artistic journey through the era, capturing the essence of life and popular opinion during the gold rushes.

• Authentic Mining Artifacts: Objects that provide insight into the daily lives of miners and prospectors in Arizona.

• Diverse Narratives: Stories highlighting the experiences of Mexican Americans, African Americans, Europeans, Chinese miners and others who contributed to the rich tapestry of the West.

"Through Gold Fever, we aim to present a more nuanced view of the western gold rushes of the mid- and late-1800s, acknowledging not only the economic transformation they spurred but also the moral complexities and human costs involved" (Alyssa Travis, curator of the Tucson Desert Art Museum)

Gold Fever: Glory and Greed in the Western Expansion Years offers an in-depth exploration into the dichotomy of human nature during a pivotal historical period. The exhibition will run from January 10 to June 29.

We invite you to join us at 7000 East Tanque Verde Road for a powerful reflection on the transformative yet morally complex era of the gold rushes.

For more details about the exhibition and the Tucson Desert Art Museum, please contact us at mail@tucsondart.org.

This enlightening exhibition is made possible by a grant from Arizona Humanities and generous donations from the Long Realty Cares Foundation and the Cascade Foundation.