Next week, Western Kentucky University will unveil the Instruments of American Excellence exhibit at its Kentucky Museum. The collection pays homage to the tools Americans have used to achieve greatness in their fields.

In addition to the underwater camera case used by Titanic discoverer Robert Ballard, the hammer used by Jimmy Carter to build houses for Habitat for Humanity, and one of Tony Hawk’s skateboards, the exhibit will also feature pointe shoes once worn by Sara Mearns (who graced the cover of our sister publication Dance Magazine in June) and longtime ABT star Julie Kent. Mearns will be on site for the official ribbon cutting ceremony next Friday.

The museum is open to the public, with $5 admission to all exhibits. More information at wku.edu/kentuckymuseum/index.php

Photo courtesy of Capezio