Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology

The Sibbett Group designed the Pheobe Hearst Exhibit in Berkeley and hired Gizmo to fabricate and install the exhibit furniture and graphics.

Gizmo Art Production, Inc. was honored to fabricate and install custom exhibit furniture and interpretive graphics for the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley. This installation supports the display of culturally significant artifacts associated with the California Indian man known to us today as Ishi, widely regarded as one of the most well-known Native Americans in U.S. history. The space displays some of Hearst’s 3 million anthropologic objects. Inside the display cases, you can find the unique masks and baskets from hundred of years ago among many other historic artifacts. The exhibit was produced in 2016, installed in 2017, and now is open to the public.

Precision Fabrication for Cultural Stewardship

Working within a museum environment that demands the highest standards of conservation and respect, Gizmo engineered and built:

• Custom museum-grade display cases

• Secure artifact mounts and armatures

• Integrated lighting solutions

• ADA-compliant exhibit furniture

• Large-format printed interpretive graphics

• Branded environmental panels and didactics

Each element was fabricated to meet strict conservation requirements, ensuring appropriate environmental protection, security, and long-term durability. Materials were carefully selected for archival compatibility, structural stability, and aesthetic clarity—allowing the artifacts to remain the focal point.

Translating Scholarship into Physical Experience

The exhibit presents artifacts connected to Ishi, whose life in the early 20th century profoundly shaped public understanding of California Native history. Gizmo collaborated closely with museum staff and curators to translate scholarly interpretation into a cohesive, accessible physical environment.

From precision-fit casework to seamless graphic integration, the goal was to create an exhibit space that balances reverence, clarity, and contemporary museum standards. Clean detailing, concealed hardware, and refined finishes ensure that the craftsmanship supports — rather than competes with — the powerful stories held within the objects themselves.

Built to Last

As with all of Gizmo’s museum exhibit fabrication projects, this installation was constructed for longevity. We believe permanent cultural work deserves permanent craftsmanship. Every structural component, finish system, and installation detail was executed with the understanding that museum environments require durability without compromise.