New Office Space
Posted on January 18, 2017
Who would have thought that after planning an entire addition to the Museum, re-configuring existing Museum spaces, and replacing windows and a roof on an eighty-five-year-old building, that “gettin’ some new furniture” would be the most challenging of them all?
A Tourist in My Own Hometown
Posted on January 11, 2017
There’s nothing quite as compelling as holiday houseguests – especially your own adult children – to motivate all types of planning, from menus and recipes to selecting must-visit area sights. In addition to the obvious #1 destination on my list, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, where the warm glow of Tiffany Studios lamps and windows is irresistible, there was something else I had long wanted to do: a nighttime sleigh ride.
1,000-Watt Magic
Posted on January 04, 2017
Opening gallery doors, to me, is like lifting the cover of a book and revealing the story inside. I imagine gallery magic and alchemy feeding the narrative, keeping it fresh.
Christmas Tradition
Posted on December 21, 2016
I love to bake. That’s no secret to followers of this blog. At Christmastime, I have a particular need to outdo myself. Thankfully, longtime friend Pat Conn shares this passion, and together we spend many hours over two days mixing and baking. This year, we tied the 2015 all-time high of thirty cookie varieties. We certainly would have broken the record, but other obligations pulled us away.
Here Come the Holidays
Posted on December 14, 2016
Typically, the prospect of the holiday season isn’t one I’m enchanted by. Gift giving? Not my strong suit. Christmas music? Pass. Snow? Please. Side effects of the holiday season include five extra pounds, mandatory cheer, and sometimes hairy travel across state lines. I’m not a total Grinch, though; one seasonal symptom I can appreciate is a renewed sense of gratitude and connectedness.
Tiffany Glass Dazzles
Posted on December 07, 2016
How did Tiffany Studios harness light in its iconic leaded-glass lampshades and windows? It was all about the glass. Its quality, luminosity and vast palette of color, texture, and pattern were key.
How Museums Can Better Serve Veterans and Military Families
Posted on November 30, 2016
Earlier this month, I had the privilege of participating in the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ Town Hall convening focused on addressing the needs of veterans and military families. The Woodson Art Museum’s commitment to Always Free Admission and barrier-free accessibility are two ways we serve all visitors and community members, including veterans and their families. In the near term, exciting new exhibitions – Tiffany Glass: Painting with Color and Light; Enduring Beauty: Art Nouveau Glass; and Victorian Art Glass Baskets – open Saturday, December 3.
Pentimenti
Posted on November 23, 2016
Pentimenti – my new favorite word. It’s derived from the Italian word for repentance.
While waiting for a student tour to arrive, Timothy David Mayhew – a recent artist in residence and expert in Old Master natural-chalk technique – curator of education Catie Anderson and I were admiring chalk drawings from the Woodson Art Museum’s collection. Tiepolo’s Head of an Old Bearded Man with the faint lines of the first attempts still visible, elicited a discussion about the unforgiving nature of chalk; once drawn it cannot be erased or removed. The merciless nature of the medium trains the artist to master a light touch and embrace the ghostly remains of previous efforts – the pentimenti.
Life-List Highlights
Posted on November 16, 2016
Both within and beyond the Woodson Art Museum galleries, I enjoy bird watching and learning about our feathered friends. Like many fellow contemporary birders, I post my sightings to eBird, a website and mobile app. Whether or not you’re a birder, visit the Woodson Art Museum on or before November 27 to experience Birds in Art, a must-see highlight for your exhibition life list.
Collect & Share Inspiring Experiences
Posted on December 28, 2016