This choker made of silver and blue glass beads is part of the new Funk Center exhibition spotlighting the art and craft of the Bedouin. Photo courtesy of the Nance Collection, McClure Archives and University Museum, University of Central Missouri.

By PAM HARBAUGH

The Ruth Funk Center’s new exhibition, “Traditional Art of the Bedouin,” will give museum visitors a glimpse into the esoteric world of Bedouin skills and handiwork. It opens Saturday and runs through April 29.

The exhibition is part of an ExhibitsUSA tour and was curated by the Nance Collection from the museum at the University of Central Missouri. It is designed to reveal part of the artistic culture of these nomadic people of Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries including Egypt, Syria and Yemen.

More than 50 artworks and artifacts form the exhibit. Included are elaborately embroidered textiles, metalwork, ceremonial coffee accouterments and incense burners. Photographs documenting Boudin artisans at work are also on view.

Viewers will also learn about the Bedouins use of crenelation to produce intricate jewelry, and their use of natural dyes, fibers and unique patterns in their weavings.

The Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts, the only textiles center in the state of Florida, is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Center is located next to Evans Library on the Florida Tech campus in Melbourne, Florida, 150 W. University Blvd. Admission is free. For more information, visit http://textiles.fit.edu or call 321-674-8313.