Located in the Nathaniel and Lana Grey Gallery
(in the Mary H. Herron Community Conference Center)
Molas are colorful “reverse applique” textile panels created by the Kuna of the San Blas Islands off the northeast coast of Panama. They were originally decorative shirt panels, with imagery captured from folk and contemporary popular culture. Traditionally a folk craft of women, molas have become a major sale item for tourism dollars, providing significant income. Their creation has since been adopted by all members of society.