By: Kate Moore

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today the new mini exhibit An Olympic View will open July 23rd. With the Summer Olympics arriving soon, this exhibit celebrates the history of the Games, athletes from Grand Rapids, as well as the Brazil, the 2016 host.

This year is the first year the Olympics will take place in a South American country. An Olympic View allows visitors to learn more about Rio de Janeiro, Brazil leading up to and during the 2016 Summer Olympics. Visitors will learn about Ancient Greek history and see Ancient Greek artifacts that are part of the GRPM’s Collections. Other artifacts include insect jewelry, Brazilian coins, ancient Greek Lekythos as well as much more.

In the modern era, 12 athletes from Grand Rapids have competed in Olympic Games. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about each of these 12 athletes, their sport and if they were Olympic medalists. In An Olympic View visitors will explore the locations of the modern Olympic Games. Visitors will pose as a gold medalist in this year’s Olympics in an interactive photo opportunity.

Admission to the mini exhibit An Olympic View will be included with general admission to GRPM. This exhibit will be on display from July 23 – August 21, 2016, coinciding with the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Brazil.

The Museum plans to showcase several mini-exhibitions, or pop-up exhibits, each year. They are modeled after pop-up stores, and are intended to be shorter in duration, showcase something new, tie into national and current events and showcase the GRPM’s Collections on a routine basis to the community. For further details visit grpm.org.