The Palmer Museum of Art is hosting "Who Wears the Pants?! Fashion History One Leg at a Time," an exhibition exploring the intersection of gender, power, and mobility through the history of clothing. Curated by Charlene Gross and Keri Mongelluzzo, the show features 29 works from the museum's collection ranging from the seventh century to 2007. The display is organized into four thematic sections—gender, labor, mobility, and self-expression—and includes notable works such as Mary Beth Edelson’s feminist lithograph "Some Living American Women Artists/Last Supper."
This exhibition serves as a primary example of the Palmer Museum's commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and student engagement. By integrating the museum's permanent collection into the university curriculum, students from fashion history courses contributed research and digital interpretations for the gallery. The project highlights how visual art and material culture can be used to challenge historical narratives about gender roles and social liberation, demonstrating the museum's role as an active laboratory for academic inquiry.