Strange Event at RAFFMA is Source for New Exhibit by Joe Gutierrez - City News Group, Inc.

Community Calendar

◄ MARCH ►
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 01 02 03 04
View Events
Submit Events

Strange Event at RAFFMA is Source for New Exhibit

By Joe Gutierrez, Community Writer
October 15, 2014 at 02:36pm. Views: 42

The mysterious fall of an ancient funeral mask from its display case is the inspiration for creative reactions to the event in a group exhibit of contemporary art. The exhibition will be held at the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art at Cal State San Bernardino. “The Mysterious Burial Mask: Information and Evidence” began being on display Oct. 8 and will continue through Oct. 25 in RAFFMA’s The Dutton Family Gallery. A reception for the exhibition will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Artists for the show include Sophia Allison, Matthew Blair, Sapira Cheuk, Paul Evans, Kio Griffith, Micol Hebron, Siobhan Hebron, Tiernan Hebron, Jorge Mujica, A.E. Van Fleet and HK Zamani. This exhibition, conceived and curated by CSUSB M.F.A. student Andrew K. Thompson, was inspired by a strange occurrence that took place at RAFFMA on April 23, 2009. On that day, during an exhibition installation, between 2:45 and 3:02 p.m., the funerary mask mysteriously slid across the bottom of its display case, rolled over and fell face down on the floor. The vitrine that typically covered the mask was removed at that moment for cleaning. Video surveillance of the event shows staff members and volunteers putting final touches on the exhibition, a few hours before its opening. Activities were routine at best and there was no movement close to the mask. After the event, the museum staff conducted a series of tests, including checking for seismic activity to see if that could unlock the enigma, but each test proved inconclusive. Conservators have since repaired the mask. The incident has never been explained. Thompson relayed the story -- along with the small amount of information and evidence available about the strange occurrence -- to the curated group of artists and invited them to devise a creative response to the event. The exhibition will include the burial mask displayed alongside the contemporary artworks. General admission to the museum is free. Suggested donation is $5. Parking at Cal State San Bernardino is $5 per vehicle. The museum is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and is closed Friday and Sunday.

Related Articles

Rancho Family Medical Group Strengthens Community Care With Moreno Valley Expansion
Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Contributing Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:26pm. Views: 696

A modern storefront shows Rancho Family Medical Group’s new clinic, with signs reading “Primary Care Coming Soon” above glass doors decorated with blue and white balloons. Rancho Family Medical Group’s newest clinic is at The District, on Hemlock Avenue.

Redlands East Valley HS Athlete of the Week: Brayden Dismang
Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 04:36pm. Views: 601

17 years old, Brayden Dismang this weeks Athlete of the Week for Redlands East Valley HS is already making a strong impression both in the classroom and on the baseball field. A Junior maintains an impressive 3.9 grade point average while balancing the demands of academics, athletics, and work.

GTHS Athlete of the Week: Lucas Palos
Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 04:08pm. Views: 646

Lucas Palos is 17 years old and currently a Senior at Grand Terrace High School. Lucas has earned Principal’s Honor Roll twice, helped lead his teams to league championships in both baseball and football, And is this weeks Athlete of the week.

FARSB STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY HEALTH THROUGH “FOOD AS MEDICINE” PARTNERSHIP
Photo Courtesy of: Feeding America® Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB)

By Rachel Bonilla, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:04pm. Views: 1013

FARSB, Anthem Blue Cross Foundation and Feeding America highlight how nutritious food supports better health during National Nutrition Month®

A US Town Where Residents Live Significantly Longer
Photo Courtesy of: Mayor Phill Dupper

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 870

Beautiful view of Loma Linda California.

Dog Park Closure Announced in Grand Terrace for Maintenance Work
Photo Courtesy of: Designed by Freepik

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 566

The Grand Terrace Dog Park will be closed from March 18, 2026, through April 22, 2026. During the closure period, residents are encouraged to seek alternative locations for outdoor pet activities.

You're Invited: Loveland Church Celebrates Easter Sunday
Photo Courtesy of: Carl M. Dameron

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 609

Rev. Chuck Singleton, senior pastor at Loveland Church, at the Third Annual Reparations Summit held at Loveland Church.  Easter service at Loveland Church is called “Celebrate the Light Of The World!” in Fontana, Santa Monica, and Victorville, and will be on Sunday, April 5. 6:00 am Sonrise service, 7:30 am, and 10:30 am, live at LovelandChurch.org.

Moreno Valley Dealership Hits the Gas on Growth with Major Service Center Expansion
Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Brian Mohan, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 806

On Thursday, March 12, Mayor Cabrera and members of the City Council attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Car Pros Kia Moreno Valley, which completed a $2.25 million expansion of its service center doubling its service capacity and further strengthening the dealership’s role as one of the top-performing Kia retailers in the nation.

Hot Weather Ahead: Safety Tips
Photo Courtesy of: Designed by Freepik

By San Bernardino County, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 587

A woman stands in the kitchen smiling, while she holds a glass of water.

6 People Hospitalized After Disastrous Single-Vehicle Crash on State Route 60 and Nason Street
Photo Courtesy of: ONSCENE.TV

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 375

At approximately 10:15pm on March 8th, 2026, California Highway Patrol officers and Cal Fire Riverside County crews responded to a reported solo vehicle rollover crash on eastbound State Route 60 east of Nason Street in Moreno Valley.

4th Grader Becomes Dual Enrolled College Student at San Bernardino Valley College
Photo Courtesy of: KTLA5

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 460

Honey Cooper is pictured reading at Kimbark Elementary School in San Bernardino, California.

OSRX, Inc. Announces Sponsorship of Rising Inland Empire Motorsports Prodigy Truly Adams
Photo Courtesy of: Truly Adams

By Justus Baker-Postell, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 592

Truly "The Truth" Adams official sponsorship annoucement with OSRX.

--> -->