Upcoming Events

The Life of Our Electronics, with Jim Puckett

Wed., May 22, 2013 | 6 pm

Away is a place.
Jim Puckett, former Toxics Director at Greenpeace International became Executive Director of Basel Action Network in1997. He will speak about the environmental and health consequences of the 8% year over year growth in the electronic industry. His answer to the question: "where do old cell phone, laptops, TV and gadgets go?" is not the one we might have imagined.

“Plastics Unwrapped: The Good, the Bad, the Debate” Seminar Series

Wed., May 22, 2013 | 6 – 8 pm

Join the Burke Museum and the UW Program on the Environment for a seminar series called “Plastics Unwrapped: The Good, the Bad, the Debate.”

From April 3 – May 22, 2013, the seminar includes lectures select Wednesdays at the Burke Museum at 6 pm, covering such topics as the effect of plastic waste on marine life, to the international debate on electronic plastics. 

Come to one talk, or come to all; all lectures are open to the public!

After Hours @ the Burke: Plastics Unwrapped!

Thurs., May 23, 2013 | 7 – 9 pm

UW students—this evening event is especially for you! Grab a friend and experience the museum after hours. See the Burke’s Plastics: Unwrapped exhibit, create your own recycled sea creature to take home, enjoy sustainable snacks from Chaco Canyon, and more!

Weekend Activities @ the Burke: Plants of Washington

Sat., May 25, 2013 – Sun., May 26, 2013 | 11 am –  3 pm

Every weekend in May, explore the plants of Washington at the Burke. See native plants from the collections, make your own plant press to take home, and explore the Erna Gunther Ethnobotanical Garden. Also join us for guided exhibit tours every Saturday at 1 pm.

Botany Washington 2013: Spring Diversity in the Lower Grand Coulee

Fri., May 31, 2013 – Sun., June 2, 2013

This year’s Botany Washington is being co-sponsored by the Washington Native Plant Society and the University of Washington Herbarium at the Burke Museum. Our goal is to provide an outstanding opportunity for participants of all levels of botanical skill to explore the rich diversity of Central Washington’s flora in the lower Grand Coulee through three tracks of field study: one designed for technical study of selected taxonomic groups, one for improving plant keying skills using the Flora of the Pacific Northwest, and the other designed for individuals with little or no botanical background but who are interested in learning more about wildflowers of this area.

Free First Thursdays

Thurs., June 6, 2013 | 10 am – 8 pm

On the first Thursday of every month, admission to the Burke Museum is FREE and the museum will remain open until 8 pm. Hands-on activities are offered each month.

Burke Trivia Night at the College Inn Pub

Thurs., June 6, 2013 | 8 – 10 pm

The Burke Museum presents a monthly pub quiz for science buffs, culture gurus, and museum lovers. Bring your friends to the College Inn Pub and test your knowledge of the natural world. Compete with other teams for drink vouchers and other prizes. Teams are limited to 6 players. Cost: $5 per team.

Burke Trivia Night happens every first Thursday at 8 pm at the College Inn Pub.

Hosted by the Burke Museum at the College Inn Pub, 4006 University Way NE. Support for Trivia Night was provided by the University of Washington Graduate School. This is a 21+ event.

Know Your Grasses: the Identification and Appreciation of Grass

Wed., June 12, 2013 – Fri., June 14, 2013

"Knowing Your Grasses" is critical to many fields of science and practice, including wetland identification and delineation, ecosystem restoration, erosion control, and interpretation of natural history. Beautiful and diverse, grasses are globally important in many ways—fundamental to the past and future survival of humans. The Washington Native Plant Society and the University of Washington Herbarium are proudly partnering to offer this grass identification Workshop.

Empowering Women Opening Programs

Sat., June 15, 2013 | 11 am – 3 pm

On June 15, the Burke celebrates the opening of Empowering Women: Artisan Cooperatives that Transform Communities with a look at art from Mexico's southern state of Oaxaca. Talks include: 

• 11 am and 2 pm, Eric Mindling, the founder of Traditions Mexico: Eric will speak about the Burke Museum’s Hart Collection of Oaxacan pottery and the predominantly female potters who created it. When he first saw the collection, he was, “… blown away. The collection is one of a kind. I'd wager there is not another like it.” The talk will be richly illustrated with slides of his over twenty years of touring Oaxaca, and will provide the opportunity to view pottery from the Hart collection that is not normally on display. 

• 12:30 pm, Pastora Gutierrez, the founder of Vida Nueva, a women's weaving cooperative in the Zapotec community of Teotitlan del Valle: Pastora will discuss the formation of Vida Nueva and the challenges that woman weavers face as they break into a prestigious profession traditionally dominated by men. A weaving by Pastora will be on display during the run of Empowering Women.

Sightline@20 Series: Journey to Midway Atoll with Chris Jordan

Wed., June 19, 2013 | 7:30 – 9 pm

For three years, Seattle photographer Chris Jordan has immersed himself in a stunning environmental tragedy on fabled Midway Atoll in the heart of the Pacific: the starvation of thousands of albatrosses who mistake our floating plastic trash for food. 

Member Opening: Empowering Women

Fri., June 21, 2013 | 6 – 8 pm

Join us to celebrate the Burke's newest exhibit, Empowering Women: Artisan Cooperatives That Transform Communities, which illustrates how the power of grassroots collaborations transform women's lives, bringing together first-person quotes, stellar photographs, and stunning examples of the cooperatives' handmade traditional arts.

Empowering Women Artisan Market

Sat., July 20, 2013 – Sun., July 21, 2013 | 10 am –  3 pm

On July 20-21, come to the Burke’s Empowering Women Artisan Market, open both Saturday and Sunday from 10 am – 3 pm. This event offers the rare chance to meet artists featured in the Empowering Women exhibit from across the globe. Expect this market to spill outside the museum, in true street market style!