(back to top)

Peggy Stoltz Gilfoy was the first curator of the IMA’s textiles and ethnographic arts department, established in 1972. Following her death, after sixteen years at the IMA, a memorial fund was established in her name. The museum acquired two Egungun masquerade festival costumes through this fund. The most impressive of African costumes, these powerful pieces are worn during the annual Egungun festivals and are associated with the worship and honoring of ancestors. This prestigious costume is an appropriate commemoration of Peggy Gilfoy’s many years of dedicated service in building the fine collection of textiles, costumes and African art at the IMA.