Exhibit Title: "Sublime Spirits: The Sacred Flags of Haitian Vodou" Dates: Oct. 7 through Nov. 15 Where: Design Gallery 145 Walker Hall University of California, Davis Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday 2-5 p.m. Sunday Reception: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 Images of paired serpents entwined around a palm tree, a heart pierced with a dagger representing love and beauty, and St. James on horseback representing strength and iron -- all created with thousands of tiny beads and sequins -- will be displayed in this exhibition of sacred flags. The flags, from the collection of Susan Tselos, are created within Vodou temples and are used for ceremonies in which the Vodou spirits are honored. Beginning with a 30 inch by 36 inch piece of satiny fabric, a flagmaker painstakingly covers the cloth with elaborate images of the Iwa, or Vodou, spirits. During a ceremony, the spirits possess the body of the Vodou priest or priestess through the act of transference, in order to give counsel to the believers. The rich iconography emblazoned on the surfaces of the flags reflects the fusion of different beliefs or practices of Haitian Vodou. Guest curator Susan Tselos holds degrees in textile arts and museum studies. She specializes in researching and documenting the textile and metalwork traditions of Haitian Vodou. She lectures extensively on the subject and has curated several exhibitions of Haitian art.