Forensic sculptor to present program at Burnet library
Forensic sculptor and artist Amanda Denning of the Smithsonian Institute will present a program at 2 p.m. June 12 at the Herman Brown Free Library, 100 E. Washington St. in Burnet. Courtesy photo
SPECIAL TO THE PICAYUNE
BURNET — Forensic sculptor Amanda Danning will present a program at the Herman Brown Free Library on June 12.
The program, “SAM: America Before American Indians,” is 2 p.m. at the library, 100 E. Washington St. Refreshments will be served at 1:30 p.m. Early arrival is advised as space is limited.
Danning works for the Smithsonian Institute building faces from skulls and using her artistic skills to reconstruct historic finds.
Her presentation will introduce a little-known site in Central Texas called Horn Shelter, where, 11,000 years ago, a man and a child were buried with more than 100 pieces of funeral offerings. The find is one of the three most important anthropological sites in North America, according to Dr. Douglas Owsley of the Smithsonian Institution.
Danning’s work brings the audience face to face with the oldest known Texas inhabitant: SAM, or Son of America.
Danning has gained international recognition as a forensic sculptor commissioned by the Smithsonian Institute for reconstructions of Jamestown settlers, buffalo soldiers, two of the oldest Paleo-Americans in North America and many others, according to her biography. Her work is on display at more than 30 museums in the United States including the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Her presentations have been featured at the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival, fundraisers, universities, public schools and private events.
Call (512) 715-5228 or go to hermanbrownlibrary.org for more information.