Chris Fiala Erlich, Exhibit Curator

09/11/2026

It's been a while. Just too busy working on project to stop and talk about them! So... highlights from the past year or so. The big project -- exhibit design, content development, and media interactives for the Log House Museum in Alki. It just opened in August after two years of hard work by a great team of staff and other vendors. There have been lots of other rewarding projects too -- interpretive signs for Quincy, Woodinville and University Place museums, exhibit planning for Lake Stevens, Foss Waterway Seaport, and Bonney Lake museums, a couple of America 250 mini-exhibits, and fun media interactives for Vashon Island Museum.

11/02/2024

Here is a way to support a wonderful local museum AND take home something unique. Lots of hand crafted pieces and fun experiences!

The Nisqually Foundation annual Auction is now live! Don't miss out on exciting adventures like a scenic seaplane ride, VIP Rainiers tickets, and behind the scenes experiences at the Fort!

https://app.charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/bid-for-the-fort-42870

07/08/2024

I am honored to be on the board of the Fort Nisqually Foundation and occasionaly volunteer as a reenactor at the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum. Sometimes, I demonstrate mid-19th century watercolor tools and techniques for the public. Like all fort volunteers, I devoted a lot of time to learn the topic in order to share it with the public. And its fun for me to put my academic degrees to use -- I have a B.A. in Fine Art and and M.A. in Art History. In 2020, I curated an exhibit about artists who visited Fort Nisqually during the mid-1800s. I've written two articles about mid-19th century tools and techniques artists used during this period. I've just posted the articles on my webiste. Enjoy!
Tools and supplies:
https://www.chriserlich.com/single-post/something-completely-different-mid-19th-art-supplies
Techniques:
https://www.chriserlich.com/single-post/something-completely-different-part-two-mid-1800s-watercolor-techniques

04/23/2024

So happy for Puyallup Tribe of Indians Historic Preservation Department. They earned this! It was an honor to play a part.

11/10/2023

LAST DAY!! This auction supports one of my favorite places. Check it out. There are fun adventures, art, and period reproductions!

Thank you for supporting the Fort Nisqually Foundation. We are a volunteer-run 501(c)3 non-profit. Since 1989, we have supported the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum

09/12/2023

What a wonderful day. Really honored to be the guest curator for this project!
I did the exhibit design, wrote the text (with gracious guidance and review of advisors), and completed the graphic design, video production, and installation.

LEAVENWORTH — P’squosa elder Randy Lewis’ mother used to say that they were not people of a romantic past.

08/31/2023

Nice story on a change in law that benefits museum collections. Great work Joseph! And yes, that is the permanent exhibit I created for the Cowlitz County Museum providing a lovely background for the story. ;)

For nearly a decade, museums were prohibited from accepting donated fi****ms.

07/28/2023

Happy to see this exhibit getting some coverage in local paper. I was responsible for exhibit design, graphic design, writing the text, fabrication, and installation. The exhibit theme and content were fully guided by the p'squosa advisors. I was honored to be included in the project, and hope it carries their voices forward.
I'm grateful to Mary Big Bull-Lewis and her husband Rob for their excellent work printing the panels. Much gratitude to historian E. Richard Hart. His scholarship was invaluable. Richard Beckerman did the exquisite lighting design. Mara Bohman gave her time and energy to bring everyone together and keep the ball moving.

LEAVENWORTH — The Greater Leavenworth Museum’s newly modified First People exhibit will not just tell the history of the Wenatchi/P’Spuosa people but also that they are still here with contributions

05/02/2023

I've followed up on last week's workshop with my first instructional video on DIY Exhibit Labels! Check it out and let me know what you think. ;)

Instructional videos for DIY exhibit labels.

04/26/2023

Yesterday, I presented a workshop on exhibit tips. The workshop was sponsored by the Washington State Historical Society and hosted by the Quillcene Historical Museum. It was a gathering of people from small museums who do amazing things on shoestring budgets. It was fun to share the lessons and shortcuts I’ve learned over the years. And got to spend the night in the beautifully restored Worthington Mansion.