Outdoor ‘Gear’ exhibit examines environmental impact at Mississippi Valley Textile Museum

An exciting new art exhibition at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum (MVTM) is encouraging visitors to reconsider the relationship between outdoor recreation and environmental responsibility.

‘Gear’, an exhibition by textile artist Bettina Matzkuhn, explores the traces of humanity present in the backcountry as seen through repurposed outdoor equipment. Running from May 3 to July 19, 2025, the exhibit features deconstructed backpacks and recycled materials such as nylon, webbing, mimicking tents and other camping gear. 

According to a press release from the MVTM, some pieces will be interactive, allowing visitors to get hands-on by opening compartments that will reveal unique embroidered landscapes, which symbolize the adverse effects of climate change.

“With Gear, Matzkuhn has created thoughtful and critical art that is increasingly important for us to see and reflect upon,” said Michael Rikley-Lancaster, executive director and curator of MVTM in the press release.

“Living in such a wonderfully lush and green valley, so close to cottage country, and removed from the more extreme effects of climate change, we can often take our environment for granted. This exhibit encourages us to examine how we interact with and explore our natural spaces.” 

To learn more about this exhibit and others, visit https://mvtm.ca/whats-on/