Tompkins County Public Library

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean To Be Human? Opens at TCPL

This exhibit was organized by the the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in collaboration with the American Library Association Public Programs Office.  This project was made possible through the suppor a grant from John Templeton Foundation and support from the Peter Buck Human Origins Fund. 

A wonderful series of opening events from November 29 to December 4 has been scheduled to take place at the Library and Cinemapolis.


Tuesday, November 29, 7:00 PM
At Cinemapolis, Ithaca.
“First Peoples—Americas” 
Free screening of the first in the PBS film series 
“First Peoples”  sponsored by WSKG and Cinemapolis. 

Wednesday, November 30, 6:30 PM  
Tour of Exhibit in Avenue of the Friends followed by 
talk in BorgWarner Community Room, TCPL
Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean To Be Human?

Dr. Rick Potts,  Smithsonian paleoanthropologist 
How can scientific discoveries on human evolution connect with larger understandings of what it means to be human?  Join Dr. Rick Potts as he explores the main themes and messages of the exhibit in a program for the general public. The tour, talk and following conversation will explore how fossils, archeological remains, and genetic studies shed light on our connection with the natural world and the origins of sharing, caring, and innovation. Refreshments. .  

Thursday, December 1, 6:00 PM
BorgWarner Community Room, TCPL
Exploring the Meanings of Human Evolution: A Community Conversation













Dr.Connie Bertka and Dr. Jim Miller, co-chairs of the Smithsonian Institution’s Broader Social Impacts Committee
How do scientific discoveries about human origins relate to people’s personal understanding of the world and their place in it?  Join Drs. Connie Bertka and Jim Miller, as they encourage a community conversation about human evolution that helps us to understand each other’s perspectives, to identify areas of common interest or concern, and to explore the variety of ways human evolution connects to personal meaning. They will be joined by Drs. Rick Potts and Briana Pobiner from the Smithsonian’s Human Origins Program. 

Friday, December 2, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
First Friday Gallery Opening Night

Opening Reception in the Library, an opportunity to meet the artists for On Being Human, a multi media art exhibit curated by Terry Plater.  This features the work of ten local artists who, through their art, express what it means to be human.  Refreshments in the BorgWarner Room, TCPL

Saturday, December 3, 11:00 AM
BorgWarner Community Room, TCPL
Why We Look Different: How Evolution Can Explain Human Shapes, Sizes, and Colors. 
Jennifer Muller, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, Ithaca College will give a special presentation on Human Evolution appropriate for families. 

Saturday, December 3, 2:00 PM 
BorgWarner Community Room, TCPL
Shaping Humanity  
A presentation by John Gurche, paleo artist and artist in residence at the Museum of the Earth
Gurche will talk about his work and how and where he does it, including work included in this exhibit.

Sunday, December 4, 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM
Thaler/Howell Program Room, TCPL
Cave Painting for Families 
Presented by Wendy Kenigsberg, graphic designer and arts educator.  Learn about Cave Painting and have an opportunity to create your own Cave Paintings to be displayed on the walls in Youth Services.  


Sunday, December 4, 2:00 PM  
BorgWarner Community Room, TCPL
Embracing Science as a Sacred 
Obligation: What we Can 
learn from Averroes and Maimonides, two 12th 
Century religious intellectuals. 
A talk by Ross Brann, Milton R. Konvitz Professor of Judeo
-Islamic Studies and Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow 
at Cornell University.  

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