Colombian treasures at Bowers

In 1992, the Bowers exhibited artifacts from the Colombian museum's collection in a newly opened wing, where the 2012 show will be displayed, said Bowers President Peter Keller.

After a 15-year hiatus, Keller said he returned to Colombia to rekindle the relationship with the Museo del Oro. What resulted was an agreement for a cultural exchange.

After agreeing to send its gold show to Santa Ana this spring, in return, the Bowers will send an exhibit of artifacts from its Native American collection to Bogotá during the fall.

"It made sense to rekindle our friendship with the Museo del Oro, and I'm delighted with this exhibition," Keller said. "What's really exciting about it, I think, is the fact that we are actually, because of this old friendship, able to forge a true cultural exchange, which is very rare in museums these days."

imran.vittachi@latimes.com

Twitter: @ImranVittachi

What: "Sacred Gold: Pre-Hispanic Art of Colombia"

When: Saturday through July 1

Where: The Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana

Museum hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays

More information: at bowers.com