University Advancement

Public Relations and Strategic Communications

MEDIA RELEASE

CSUN Exhibit Explores the Life and Times of Elizabeth I

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Sept. 5, 2007) — The reign of Queen Elizabeth I is often referred to as the Golden Age of English history. A new exhibit that opened this month in Cal State Northridge’s Oviatt Library explores the impact Elizabeth I had on England’s culture.

The exhibit, "The Sun That Lights the Rainbow: The Life and Times of Elizabeth I," runs through Dec. 20 in the C.K. and Teresa Tseng Gallery on the second floor of the west wing of the Oviatt Library, located in the center of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.

The show’s curator Tony Gardner noted that when Elizabeth I became queen of England, the Middle Ages were the recent past and the Renaissance was on the horizon.

"It was a time of new ideas, exploration of new worlds, and explosion of literature and theatre, of religious unrest and the rise of a growing middle class," Gardner said. "The ruler of the English was a queen who had followed a rocky path to her throne. Under her reign, these new ideas flowered into one of the richest periods of English culture."

The exhibit features period and modern books, pictures and artifacts that describe the life and times of Elizabeth I. The many facets of her world, including literature, science, medicine, music, religion, history, agriculture, theatre and court life will be described and on display.

The show is sponsored by Gus and Erika Manders and the Friends of the Oviatt Library.

The exhibit’s hours correspond with the library’s hours, which are Monday through Thursday from 7:45 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information about the exhibit, call the library at (818) 677-2638.